The Symetra Tour this past weekend "
went live on Facebook to broadcast the closing holes of its season-opening event," and the production value was "probably better than most people would have thought," according to Larry Bohannan of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. It "certainly wasn’t up to network standards, but it was better than a lot of things you see on Facebook." But the "more interesting point is that the Symetra Tour was on a broadcast platform that gave it exposure that it wants, even if it knows that exposure is to a limited audience." Bohannan: "And that is something that we might see more and more of in coming years." While the broadcast from the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in Winter Haven, Fla., did not "bring tens of thousands of viewers" to the LPGA's developmental tour over the weekend, it was an experiment "worth trying." Bohannan: "You have to expect sports will keep trying these experiments in the future" (
Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/14). GOLFWEEK's Beth Ann Nichols noted the stream of the final round generated "nearly 8,000 views," and "marked the first time the developmental tour has broadcast an event." Three cameras "went down during inclement weather, which kept the action from going to the 18th hole at logical moments," and there were "blips from announcers." Overall, "there were limitations," but viewers "had to manage expectations." Fans were also "encouraged to engage in the comments section on Facebook." Nichols: "This wasn’t a sleek TV broadcast, yet still a step forward. This was a first-of-its-kind presentation where parents, fans, friends and sponsors could watch the developments from anywhere in the world directly on their cell phone" (
GOLFWEEK.com, 3/13).
FAN FAVOR: User comments on the Facebook feed itself were largely positive: "Great to see these players get some airtime!" ... "As a father of an aspiring LPGA'er thank you for this so my daughter can see what the lower tour has. Great job LPGA." ... "Fun to watch and read the comments. Hope to see more of this." ... "Watching here in Scotland congrats for 1st time giving us an opportunity to [watch] the Symetra." ... "Need a lot more events like this. Golf Channel does not provide enough coverage."... "Now if we could get more sponsors to up the purse sizes it would be great" (FACEBOOK.com, 3/12).
