Golf is looking for fan input in the course set up for its final major event of the year. Fans will be able to vote in the ‘pick the hole location’ contest and be able to select where the flag will be located on a hole at Oak Hill for the PGA Championship.
The pin location to be determined by fans will be on the 15th hole during the final round of the tournament on Sunday. In this major milestone for fan involvement in golf, four pin placements are to be voted on. The winning location will be where the flag is located as players finish up their final round of the PGA Championship.
In a sport where fans are usually required to keep quiet, the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus is providing fans with an opportunity to have their voices heard in a major fashion.
All you have to do is click here and select a location you feel would like to see most between July 23 and August 10.
The hole being voted on is the par 3 15th. It is a 181 yard hole with water on the right, and a series of bunkers on the left. Voters will select which hazard they want to challenge players with their selection. Each pin placement is near one of the four hazards surrounding the green.
By running an event such as this, the PGA hopes to educate golfers across the world on how the set up of a course impacts players’ strategy and approach to the game.
Jack Nicklaus didn’t just put his name on the contest, he is a major advocate of such practices in golf. “The chance for golf fans to interact with the PGA Championship and play a role in shaping the outcome of the final round fascinates me,” he said. “It’s like being able to call the shots during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. In addition to playing a key role in the outcome of the Championship, golf fans can learn many aspects of on-course strategy, as The PGA of America and I present educational videos to enhance their golf experience. I believe this new concept will serve as an exciting hands-on learning experience for golf fans and I’m happy to be involved.”
PGA president Ted Bishop describes the event as:
“The opportunity for fans to take part in the interactive ‘PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge’ is part of a new era in engagement that connects golf fans with the Season’s Final Major in a fun and dramatic way. The PGA of America is delighted to present this innovative opportunity, as we believe this is the first time that consumers have been able to make a direct and significant impact on a global sports arena. We are honored that the legendary Jack Nicklaus will lead fans as their host and teacher in understanding the nuances that the greatest players in golf consider and think about regarding course setup and hole locations—and the effect their selection will have on the eventual outcome of the 95th PGA Championship.”
The PGA also encourages golf fans to converse with one another and follow the latest trends in the PGA Championship contest using the hashtags #pgachamp #YouPick.
The fact that the 15th hole was selected in this contest is also significant. When players finish this hole they will only have three more remaining. A bogey or birdie this late in a round could determine who wins the biggest tournament remaining on the golf schedule this year. Fans have a major impact on how the PGA tournament will play out, a monumental effort for the world of golf.
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieGille
Senior Sports Editor
The Guardian Express
