Golf enters a brave new world this weekend with the Surf Coast Knockout tournament having its first run in Geelong. The mighty game is going through a crisis across the world.
Participation rates are falling due to lack of time and money demanded by the game. In drought stricken parts of Australia, golf clubs and its members cannot afford water bills and as a result are shutting down.
Our once great summer of golf has lost tournaments and its prestige. Even in America, the economic crisis has cut sponsorship of golf and has seen the LPGA Tour go through tough patches.
With this decline hurting the game of golf, the PGA of Australia rightly so is trying to reinvigorate its game and draw new members with a new style of play.
This tournament, you could say, is the Twenty20 of the golf world.
The first three rounds will be stroke play but with cuts to the field until we have the final 32 on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, a knockout matchplay of six holes with a sudden death hole for draws will be played until we have a champion.
This tournament has the chance to recruit new fans to the game that could not stand four rounds of 18 holes. If it is a success, expect that more countries to have a go at these types of tournaments to complement its traditional base and at the same time make a connection with new fans.
I have always enjoyed golf as a sport.
However, I can understand that people have a lack of time and that is something the traditional game of golf demands. I hope this tournament can succeed to bring more people to golf without damaging the prestige of the 18 hole format (don’t end up like cricket).
The belief in this tournament is enshrined with many experienced players coming to Geelong to have a go. If the professionals get involved and they support the format, this idea could become a saviour to the game itself.
Already the signs are positive with young professional Wade Ormsby flying from bug money tournaments in South Africa to be part of this new adventure.
Only time will tell if this tournament is a fad or the real deal. If it succeeds though, golf may have found an innovative way to break through the crowded and competitive sports market.
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