Golf NSW and the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), through the media company’s broadcast arm, Rainmaker, have inked an agreement to televise and live-stream up to nine of the State’s premier Championships throughout 2022.
Golf made a welcome return to viewer’s screens in November when the final rounds of both the $50,000 Murray and Western Regional Opens were live-streamed, with viewership numbers and online engagement hitting record levels.
With evolving technology making live-streaming viable particularly in non-metropolitan centres, coverage of the final round of the remaining four NSW Regional Open Series Tournaments (Queanbeyan, Moruya, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads) will be further enhanced by the addition of extra cameras and crew.
Livestream packages of the 122nd NSW Amateur Championship final in mid-January at The Links Shell Cove and the Metropolitan Major Pennant Final – both important competitions on the Golf NSW calendar, will also be produced.
In addition, Golf NSW and SEN will showcase the Golf Challenge NSW Open at Concord Golf Club via a multi-platform broadcast model across all four days of the Championship.
Returning events, including the Geoff King Motors Australian Women’s Classic-Bonville, the Women’s NSW Open and the Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open, will also be televised.
Chief Operating Officer at Golf NSW, Mr Graeme Phillipson, said he was excited with the opportunity to showcase not only the game but several other important events, particularly at the elite amateur level.
“The solutions offered to us by SEN have made the option of broadcast, both through mainstream media channels and across all digital platforms including the web, social media and via the SEN App, the ideal solution for Golf NSW to promote our game’s rising stars.”
Mr Phillipson added that after a tough couple of years brought about by COVID, with the domestic golf scene hurt by postponements and uncertainty with scheduling, it was important for the game to showcase its brightest athletes.
“Golf’s brightest – our emerging stars, have had no choice but to watch their futures all but disappear. As we emerge from COVID, now is the time to display their talent to a wider audience.”
Rainmaker CEO Richard Simkiss said the organisation was delighted to provide an elevated experience for golf fans as this is what SEN is all about.
“Not only will viewing be more accessible for fans, we also get to shine the on light on both the emerging and established female and male golfers, supporting their journey and telling their stories,” Mr Simkiss said.
Beyond streaming and broadcast solutions, SEN is committed to supporting growth in participation, engagement, and interest in golf all over NSW.”
Golf NSW Chair Mr Michael Medway was thrilled to welcome SEN to the organisation’s partnership family.
“This is an exciting relationship which will see Golf NSW and SEN at the forefront of golf broadcasting in Australasia,” Mr Medway said.