SMT, the leading provider of data integration, graphics
presentation and video enhancement solutions to live sports and entertainment
television, and IDS (Information and Display Systems), a division of SMT, have
partnered with the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship to provide scoring
services and virtual graphics for both on-site and broadcast displays. IDS will
provide on-site support, including numerous display services.
The inaugural youth championship will take place at Augusta
National Golf Club on Sunday and will showcase 88 of the nation’s most
promising youth golfers ages 7 to 15. Each competitor will perform two drives,
two chips and three putts. The graphics and data interfaces provided by SMT and
IDS will help viewers visualize participants’ strokes throughout the
competition.
SMT will provide the Golf Channel with its virtual Drive
Grid, which shows virtual yardage markers in the driving range, displaying the
distance of each drive. The virtual markers will also show the drive length of
the championship’s current leader.
Ben Hayes, SMT account manager, said, “SMT’s virtual Drive
Grid is becoming for golf what our yellow first down line has done for
football. Everyone who tunes in for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship this
weekend will enjoy data-rich graphics that add real value to the viewing
experience.”
SMT will debut a new virtual feature at the contest to
enhance the chipping portion of the competition. The first option creates a
virtual target around the hole with three circles illustrating the proximity of
a player’s chip to the hole. The second displays a virtual circle around the
hole indicating the current leader’s total. The final option displays a circle
around the hole indicating how close the golfer needs to hit their final chip to
the hole in order to take the lead
“The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will showcase the
golf skills of our nation’s youth,” said Ryan McDonald, IDS project
manager, “and IDS is excited to be a part of this unique event and provide
the on-site patrons and fans at home the experience these young men and women
are enjoying at this historic site.”