PowerPlay Golf yesterday announced the first stage of its strategy to roll out a new format designed to invigorate the sport. PowerPlay Golf is played over nine holes, with two flags on every green, and golfers can use a limited number of "PowerPlays" to score extra points when aiming at the harder black flag. PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, scheduled to take place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales on May 30, will be the first of a series of three golf tournaments to be broadcast live worldwide this year. The event, sponsored by Saab, will boast a field of 12 golfers including World Golf HOFer Gary Player and current golfers such as Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, John Daly, Ian Woosnam, Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson (PowerPlay Golf). REUTERS' Tom Pilcher reported the new format, in which top male and female golfers are "competing against each other for the first time," aims to "make the game more exciting and attract younger golfers." PowerPlay Golf will hold its first U.S. event "later this year." The lineup for the new tour, which "will include Ryder Cup players and current major champions, will be announced in the next few days." Players "will compete for a total prize fund of $560,000, including $161,000 for the winner." Seven tournaments are "expected to be held in 2012." Former European Tour Exec Dir Ken Schofield has been appointed as PPG Chair (REUTERS, 4/13).
