American Golf Explain Thinking Behind Free Golf Shows
American Golf speak about their partnership with The European Tour and Sky Sports and what to expect from 2017's free golf shows
American Golf Explain Thinking Behind Free Golf Shows
When American Golf recently announced that they were partnering with the The European Tour and Sky Sports to stage four free golf shows, more than a few eyebrows were raised in the office.
Three of the game’s big hitters collaborating on events that weren’t their natural domain was something to investigate further; so we caught up with Daniel Gathercole, Director of Marketing and Communications at American Golf to find out a bit more about this unusual project.
Related: 2017 European Tour schedule
“Over the past three years all of our marketing efforts have been directed towards getting more people hitting more golf balls. We’ve introduced a huge range of opportunities for people to swing a club and we wanted to work with similarly minded organisations that were looking at the game in a new, progressive way.”
“We piloted a free golf show in Manchester last year, close to our Warrington HQ. We wanted to offer something that golfers and non-golfers would both get something out of. Something that families could come along to together and all enjoy.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKBtoVMg8zQ
“Following the success of Manchester, we decided that we should expand the reach and bring in partners who were as committed as us to finding new ways to get more people hitting balls; Sky Sports and The European Tour were the obvious choices.”
“Sky’s coverage of golf is making the game interesting to a wider sporting audience who are used to being entertained not just by the sport but by the coverage. The European Tour is pushing the boundaries with new formats, venues and promotions, all focussed squarely on engaging and entertaining more people. They’re both organisations that share our vision for the future of the game so the partnership was an easy one to make.”
For the 2017 season American Golf, The European Tour and Sky Sports will be staging 4 free golf shows.
The first will be at ExCel in London on April 7th to 9th followed by Event City Manchester on April 28th to 30th.
Related: Golf driving tips
American Golf promises that this year will be bigger and better and will feature hundreds of chances for golfers from absolute beginners through to scratch to hit a ball, have a laugh and enjoy a great day out.
There will be a full rota of star attractions on the main stage each day, including Tour players, trick shots and tuition.
There will also be competitions and non-golf activities that all the family can enjoy through the day.
Gathercole continues, “Later in the season we’re moving the show out of arenas and on to the fairways when we’ll set up inside the ropes at The European Tour Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.
“Entry to the show will be free once you‘ve bought a ticket to the Tour event so we’ll be able to give an extra dimension to every spectators’ day out at the golf.
To sign up for your free tickets to any of the events just follow the link and get ready for a fantastic day out seeing golf at its best. https://goo.gl/dIkk9l
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Golf’s Atypical Photo Shoot Exposes Traditions And Why Some Are Holding The Sport Back
Our women's editor, Alison Root, reflects on the challenges of mastering golf's rules and etiquette
By Alison Root Published
-
WHS Quiz! How Well Do You Understand The World Handicap System?
We have 15 questions to test your understanding of the WHS...
By Roderick Easdale Published