For the first time ever, golf fans worldwide were able to have a direct impact on the hole location of a major championship, through the “PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge Hosted by Jack Nicklaus" at the 95th PGA Championship, at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester, N.Y., Aug. 5-11. A collaborative learning experience between The PGA of America and record-tying five-time PGA Champion Jack Nicklaus, the PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge was designed to educate fans on how course setup impacts a golfer’s strategy in playing a hole; attract more people to the game; and help explain what hole location information players are provided each day. Fans could vote across platforms for one of four exciting and challenging final-round hole locations for the par-3, 181-yard 15th Hole at Oak Hill. Nicklaus, whose final PGA Championship victory occurred at Oak Hill in 1980, collaborated with PGA Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh to select the picturesque 15th Hole due to the impact it would likely have on the PGA Championship’s outcome. Haigh then selected each of the four distinct Championship hole locations for fans to choose from. The hole position with the most fan votes was on the 15th green during Sunday’s final round on Aug. 11. “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," said PGA President Ted Bishop. “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." Voting could be accomplished across multiple platforms. Fans could choose to vote thru social channels on Facebook and Twitter or go to the Pick the Hole Location page on PGA.com desktop and mobile web. The challenge was promoted on PGA.com and associated social channels, TNT and CBS throughout the tournament. The Pick the Hole Location Challenge was the first of its kind in any golf event and garnered a great deal of media coverage from ESPN, Golf Channel, etc. Approximately 1mm page views between mobile and desktop and close to 100K fan votes.
http://picktheholechallenge.pga.com/
