The 72-hole stroke-play tournament is the staple format in golf, but things could be made far more interesting and attractive to viewers if some dramatic format changes were included in events throughout the season. This could include adopting six-hole competitions instead of the typical 72-hole format. Sound farfetched? Not really, considering the European Tour in May is testing its GolfSixes format involving two-man teams that play in six-hole knockout stages in an alternate shot format.
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The innovative format unveiled this past February highlights European Tour CEO Keith Pelley’s willingness to take a fresh approach to tournament golf with the format designed to deliver faster, more compelling matches. Along with the new format, there will be amphitheater-type seating around the greens and tee-boxes and music piped in around various areas throughout the course, with players wearing microphones to bring viewers close to the action. According to the European Tour, the GolfSixes event also will feature on-course live streaming, caddie cams and on-course player interviews to bring more viewers and interest to the sport.
The PGA Tour this year has adopted a two-man team format for the Zurich Classic tournament stop in late April, but count on tour executives to pay close attention to the European Tour’s execution and fan response of its GolfSixes event.
— John Lombardo
JAY DANZI
U.S. chief operating officer, Lagardère Sports
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SUGGESTION: Integrating food, music events with sports competitions
“From an event standpoint, creating a richer environment for fans that goes beyond just the competition is key to the live experience. Bringing together sports, music and culinary elements can reach a broader audience, draw more people to an event, and create deeper and more lasting experiences. Our work managing the Safeway Open PGA Tour event last October was a great example of that belief, invigorating the on-site experience with a one-of-a-kind showcase of the very best local wine and food the Napa region has to offer, combined with a live concert each night of the tournament, gave fans more reasons to attend and provided a more dynamic entertainment experience.”
JOHN MASCATELLO
Executive vice president and managing executive of golf, Wasserman
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SUGGESTION: Use team format in golf
“Implement format changes to vary the nature of the competition from week to week as research shows the audience enjoys watching ‘team format’ golf competitions. [An example is] a format change to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA Tour, which in 2017 will be the first PGA Tour official event to feature two-man teams rather than individuals, with both team members receiving official FedEx Cup points and prize money.”
