PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and REDMOND, Wash. (October 29, 2015) – The PGA TOUR and Microsoft Corp. have entered a three-year relationship that will focus on technology and media integration. The solutions will be designed to instantaneously mine the TOUR’s vast video library and statistical information to enhance and simplify the way data is interpreted, providing fans, players and commentators new and engaging ways to access insight as never before.
“The PGA TOUR is thrilled to enter into this relationship with Microsoft which, at its core, is designed to produce deeper, richer and more immersive content for our fans to consume across all of our platforms,” said Tom Wade, the PGA TOUR’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We also look forward to working with such an iconic global company as it activates broadly across PGA TOUR golf to further grow its business.”
Over the next several months, the PGA TOUR is primed to adopt Windows 10, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office to make data analysis easier to interpret and understand for every golf fan, as well as players and broadcast commentators. Microsoft will create innovative solutions by helping the PGA TOUR analyze information faster and more efficiently, giving fans instant access to insight about players, courses and conditions.
“Through its collaboration with CDW on ShotLink, the PGA TOUR has been on the cutting edge of technology innovation and real-time insights around historical information, drives, putts and course conditions for golf fans everywhere,” said Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We believe the TOUR’s commitment to our Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Cloud offerings will enable fans and broadcasters to access ShotLink and other PGA TOUR content in ways that have not been previously possible, across all digital devices.”
There are several technology integrations underway, including the development of new apps for the latest Microsoft devices and platforms across Windows 10, Surface and Microsoft’s Lumia phones. Microsoft will also utilize the 80,000-plus hours of PGA TOUR library footage and other information to deliver this content to fans and commentators in new and engaging ways.
Additionally, the TOUR will look to enhance its employee productivity and infrastructure with the addition of Microsoft’s newest products as part of its backend business operation. This will include Windows 10, Office 365 and Media Pilot and Cloud Services. Through this multi-faceted relationship, Microsoft becomes “The Official Operating System of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour,” “Official Analytics Partner of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour” and “The Official Office [Personal] Productivity Software of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.”
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR China.
The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in the communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 1 billion households in 227 countries and territories in 30 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2014, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $140.5 million for local and national charitable organizations, after surpassing $2 billion in all-time charitable contributions early in the year.
The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
