USGA, Cisco partner to drive more connected championships, Foster Innovation and Inclusion in Game of Golf
Cisco and United States Golf Association (USGA) have announced a multiyear extension of their partnership, which began in 2018 and established the global technology provider as the official technology partner of USGA and its achievements. Through the new term, the two organisations will leverage Cisco’s solutions to expand USGA’s technological infrastructure at their achievements and foster inclusion in the sport of golf.
Over the past five years, Cisco and the USGA have implemented several improvements benefiting fans, media and event organisers, including debuting the first-ever “Connected Course” for the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which marked the a USGA championship boasted course-wide Wi-Fi. Cisco played a key role in the USGA’s ability to securely deploy virtual connectivity solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing Webex by Cisco to the forefront of both fan engagement and media operations. Additionally, Cisco powered the use of 4D technology as part of the broadcast experience of USGA championships, giving fans watching at home a new perspective on their favorite players’ swings.
New for 2023, the two organisations will debut USGA ShotCast Powered by Cisco, giving fans the ability to follow the action from both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open with 3D hole imagery and real-time radar data. Available via both the USGA’s mobile app and website, USGA ShotCast will also archive every televised golf shot and make them available to view in near real-time a first for the U.S. Women’s Open.
“We are incredibly excited to extend our partnership with Cisco and further integrate cutting-edge technology to lead golf into the future,” says Jon Podany, USGA chief commercial officer. “Over the past five years, the USGA has benefited from Cisco’s industry leadership and expansive capabilities in elevating not only our championships, but the ways we serve recreational golfers, golf courses and the game.”
As Cisco and the USGA look ahead to a future of golf that is more connected and technology-driven than ever before, the partners will create an Innovation Committee composed of key industry stakeholders, executives, supporters and players that will meet regularly with the goal of generating actionable initiatives toward the future improvement of the sport. In addition, Cisco solutions will play an integral role in connecting and protecting Golf House Pinehurst, the USGA’s Southern campus slated to open at the end of 2023.
“When we embarked on a relationship with the USGA five years ago, it marked Cisco’s official foray into the sport of golf,” says Mark Patterson, SVP and chief of staff to chair and CEO at Cisco. “Today, we are proud to have a robust portfolio of partners across the sport, including organisations, events and individual players who are all positively impacting the game. The renewal of this partnership marks another inflection point in Cisco’s growing support of golf, and its commitment to a broader vision of a more inclusive future.”
Cisco’s ongoing support of the USGA furthers the company’s commitment to “Teeing Up Tomorrow” fostering greater inclusion in golf and creating more opportunities for more people to engage with the game. At this year’s U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, Cisco will provide members of its Networking Academy with opportunities to assist with the installation and servicing of the network leading up to and during the championships by creating Dream Teams at each event, including the first-ever all-female Dream Team at the U.S. Women’s Open. Since its inception in 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy has provided free IT educational courses and career growth opportunities for more than 17.5 million students around the world, while the prestigious Dream Team programme provides promising, aspiring IT professionals with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to gain real, hands-on experience at some of the events in the world.
Additionally, Cisco will amplify its support of the USGA’s championship, the U.S. Adaptive Open, as part of the brand’s vision to make the sport more inclusive and accessible for all. Cisco will also continue to support USGA programs such as the Pathways Internship Programme and LPGA (ladies professional golf association) USGA Girls Golf, which strive to grow the game and drive career opportunities in golf for people with diverse backgrounds, as well as open more doors for youth and local community organisations to attend the championships.
Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s ongoing investment in the game of golf, as seen through partnerships with organisations, such as the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour and Stephen Curry’s UNDERRATED Golf Tour; events, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Cisco Million Dollar Hole-in-One for Charity, APGA Cisco Invitational and the APGA Billy Horschel Invitational presented by Cisco; and the diverse individuals on Team Cisco across the PGA, LPGA and APGA Tours.
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