USGA Taps Digital Media Technologies To Expand The Ways Golf Fans Can Follow The 2009 U.S. Open

Armonk, NY (PRWEB) June 21, 2009 -- Golf fans will be able to use a variety of cutting-edge technologies, digital applications and devices to follow the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park's Black Course, June 15-21, from their home, office or on the go.

Aided by corporate partner IBM, the USGA will offer online features such as video walkthroughs and HD flyovers of the course as well as live webcast coverage of some of the game's elite players during the first two rounds. Fans on the move can get real-time scoring, the latest news and live video on their iPhones or web-enabled phones. U.S. Open fans can also get the latest news and connect with one another through social-networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

USOPEN.com - Powered by IBM

In addition to comprehensive news coverage, exclusive photos and video and authoritative historical content and records, the USGA's official championship Web site, USOPEN.com, will feature:

• Live Marquee Group Coverage - Fans can watch marquee group coverage of some of the game's elite players. The first two rounds will feature the popular U.S. Open Live! webcast. Viewers are able to watch every shot, and comment in real-time with other fans.

• Real-Time Scoring - Fans can follow their favorite players and keep up with the latest news, photos and videos. The Desktop Leaderboard also allows fans a way to keep track of the action while getting other things done on their computer.

• Interactive Course Section - Along with watching HD flyovers and video walkthroughs explaining how each hole is set up, fans will be able to view multiple images of each hole and even play the hole on their computer via the new Virtual U.S. Open online golf game.

• Virtual U.S. Open - Fans can test their golf skills online in qualifying rounds for the Virtual U.S. Open Championship through June 21. The top 156 qualifiers plus ties will then square off for the Virtual U.S. Open title on June 22. The winner will be crowned the USGA Virtual U.S. Open champion and will be a guest of the USGA at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.

• iPhone Application - iPhone owners can watch the marquee group coverage live on their iPhone and get real-time scores, video, statistics, course info and more.

• m.usopen.com - A mobile version of USOPEN.com is available for users of Web-enabled phones to view the latest news, scores and more from Bethpage Black.

• USOPEN.com Widget- A snapshot of USOPEN.com, the widget allows fans to place scoring, news, photos and additional championship course information on their Facebook, MySpace, iGoogle pages and more.

• Facebook - The U.S. Open Facebook fan page will include news, highlights and blogs. Golf fans can use this opportunity to connect with other fans and share their U.S. Open experiences, comments and photos.

• Twitter - Fans are invited to follow the 2009 U.S. Open on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usopengolf. The online community will have the chance to vote through USOPEN.com and Facebook to choose the three players that our Tweeters will follow during the next day's round. The Tweeters will provide fans with inside-the-ropes updates and information via the U.S. Open Twitter page throughout the week, offering insight as to what the players are facing on the course.

About the USGA

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses.

The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $59 million over 11 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org

IBM

Over the past 48 years, IBM has extended its business solutions into entertainment and professional sports by providing results and competition management systems. Today, IBM provides technology support and solutions to major sports and entertainment properties, including the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and U.S. Open Tennis championships, the Masters, the NFL and Tony Awards.

For more information on IBM, please visit www.ibm.com.

IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

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