FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 4, 2009) – Whether you were standing along the fairways at the 13th hole or headed to lunch in downtown Fort Worth, you didn’t have to strain to see your favorite players during the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial last weekend. That’s because no fewer than five Texas-size LED video screens were on-hand to capture the action all across the Colonial Country Club course, while two more screens on Main Street made sure those not playing hooky from work still got a great view of the tournament.
The massive, daylight-visible LED screens – provided by Keller-based GoVision LP – offer state-of-the-art video quality and real-time statistical data. GoVision most recently captured global attention with its giant LED units perched on the U.S. Capitol steps during President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony, and its eight-screen octagonal video wall suspended above the court during the Final Four tournament in Detroit.
“Golf fans all across the country were focused on Fort Worth last weekend,” said Chris Curtis, CEO of GoVision (www.jumbo.tv). “Our job was to make certain that the on-site spectator experience was even better than you could get by watching at home on TV. Our big screens and proprietary data system made that goal a reality.”
GoVision technicians developed a proprietary full-service scoring system that takes live data provided by Shot LinkTM and converts it into pertinent statistical information. For instance, not only were spectators told when their favorite PGA pro was 180 yards from the pin; they also saw his greens-in-regulation percentage from that distance.
Two additional GoVision screens were stationed in downtown Fort Worth, literally bringing tournament action to Main Street. The twin 9′ x 16′ screens were set-up at the Michelob Ultra 19th Hole between 3rd and 4th streets, in the middle of Main.
“GoVision’s screens on Main Street were a huge hit last year, so of course we had to bring them back,” said Colonial tournament director Peter Ripa. “We were very pleased that so many folks made it out to the Colonial to see the live play, but we also enjoyed taking the tournament to the people. It truly was the next-best-thing to being there.”
At the Colonial Country Club, five custom-built 9′ x 16′ Daktronics high-definition PST-12 screens were strategically positioned around the grounds: On the 13th green, at the 13th hole beer garden, by the 17th green, in the putting green/9th green area and in the “Crowne Plaza Lounge.”
“Those who saw our screens last year noticed a difference, as the new screens we brought out last week ran true HD and they’re 50 percent brighter,” said Curtis.
In addition, a 6′ x 11′ high-definition video wall was placed inside the Champions Club; and a 1.5′ x 30′ ticker board continuously transmitted real-time data and tournament updates at the “Crowne Plaza Lobby.”
The Colonial represented the final stop on the “Texas Sweep” of PGA tournaments. GoVision provided similar big-screen coverage at the Shell Houston Open in April and the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Las Colinas two weeks ago. GoVision screens were likewise on-hand at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April.
