Future-proofed course design If you thought the ‘distance debate’ about how far a golf ball travels was limited to the professional game, think again.  The longer lengths of drives from players of all abilities is increasingly problematic for courses, posing a danger to areas that were once out of reach. The solution? Data, says Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director at European Golf Design. “The distance players, both amateurs and professionals, are hitting the golf ball is evolving, and so real estate situated around golf courses that once were safely out of bounds are now becoming at risk,” said Jeremy. “Over the last five years or so, an increasing percentage of the work we do is focused on course renovations. “This is where the power of data comes in. “By analysing ball dispersion data for example, we can pinpoint precise danger zones, problem areas and properties that are at risk of an errant golf shot. Using the data, we can demonstrate to stakeholders how best to renovate their course(s) accordingly.” As well as solving safety issues, data is also being used to ensure spectators are treated to competitive drama at elite events. Commenting on the mind-boggling set of numbers the team at EGD drew on for the 2023 Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, he explained: “At Marco Simone, we had access to shot-by-shot data from three Italian Opens played on the course prior to the Ryder Cup, which we could use to inform course set-up day-to-day depending on weather conditions to maximise excitement and drama – which is ultimately what the fans want to see.”   Efficient and sustainable maintenance Once a golf course has been designed and built – or re-designed and renovated – recent advancements in maintenance technology have transformed how a greenkeeping team looks after it. Paul O’Donoghue, Superintendent at The Dutch, says these innovations have been crucial amid climate change and longer spells without rain. “We gather data annually to track how much water we are using and collecting, and work out how we can be more efficient with our irrigation,” he said. “Having that data has helped us make changes such as upgrading sprinkler nozzles, optimising grass lines and expanding non-irrigated areas. “Having the technology at our fingertips has not only allowed us to optimise our resources while still maintaining excellent conditions, it has meant we can send a very positive message to our community. “In drier periods, people ask why we’re using water for the course when they are not allowed to wash their cars or water their gardens.  “Being able to show that we are upholding our responsibility to the environment by reducing or eliminating water use during dry spells is important. “And it’s not just our own members and guests we are telling. Whenever we host a professional tournament here, we give out free tickets to the local community so we can show them first-hand the initiatives in place and the consideration we have for the environment.  “All this

“Within 15 minutes, the lake that the course is built around rose by 3.6 metres,” said Christian Guzy Jr, owner-representative at Diamond Country Club, near Vienna, Austria. Days of heavy rain had led to catastrophic flooding across a large swathe of central Europe in September 2024, and when the nearby River Perschling burst through a dam, the club was powerless to stop a torrent of water headed its way. Much of Diamond’s 18-hole championship course and the Boathouse, the club’s popular lakeside restaurant, was submerged, leaving Christian and his family wondering how they would ever recover. “I was sat with my mum and girlfriend on a table in the Boathouse watching the water rush in,” recalled Christian. “I didn’t want to leave, but the fire brigade gave us no choice as it wasn’t safe. At that point we had no idea how high the water would get. “Thankfully in the clubhouse the water came no higher than the cellar, and at the hotel it ended up just 5cm from the front door. It was 70cm deep in the Boathouse though, and on the course we had some low points that were seven metres under water.” Damage Assessment When Christian returned four days after the initial flooding – and even more rain – he was cautiously optimistic. “Although it was a shock to see, we knew the water had to go away eventually,” he explained. “We spoke to other clubs who had experienced flooding on parts of their courses to get some advice. “They stressed the importance of sweeping away the mud, as the water had flooded over many fields before it reached Diamond Country Club, so it was very brown and dirty. However, as there was still so much ground water, it would be some time before we could even start doing that.” Team spirit The following weekend, around 100 volunteers turned up wanting to help – indicative of the close-knit community on which the club is based. “The response of our members was unbelievable,” said Christian. “It made us very proud and was a highlight in an otherwise very difficult situation. “One couple who came along to help had never been members but their child was in our youth programme about 10 years ago. They were so taken by the spirit that they both signed up for full membership despite not knowing when the course could be played on again. It was an incredible moment. “However, in spite of a great team of volunteers, there was so little we could do until the water was gone – which came in the form of a huge pump we borrowed from a local company that took a lot of the water away and lowered the lake level.” Planning the comeback The Austrian government had pledged to provide compensation for the broken dam and the insurers were engaged to start discussing the club’s recovery. So, the team at Diamond Country Club began to plan its comeback. “Thanks to our members and their

The biennial Ryder Cup, founded in 1927, is one of the landmark events in global sport. The 2023 match, organised by Ryder Cup Europe, attracted ticket applications from 140 different countries, and a record-breaking 272,000 spectators descended on Rome. Powered by a rich amphitheatre of technology to match the modern-day spectator’s expectations of an inspirational yet ubiquitous, frictionless and reliable technology experience, the 2023 edition delivered the most digitally connected Ryder Cup to date.  Proving to be one of the most intelligent sporting experiences ever, against Rome’s rich historical backdrop, the 2023 Ryder Cup brought innovation to the heart of the eternal city, unequivocally setting the bar for the US Ryder Cup in 2025.   Unlike other sports where the action takes place in a single stadium, pitch or track, golf has the added challenge of connecting 18 fields of play, spread across many acres, to the swarms of spectators eager to keep up with all the action as it unfolds across a vast competitive landscape.  In order to achieve this in the Italian capital, Ryder Cup Europe built a mini smart city from scratch in the middle of the countryside to bridge the gap between armchair fans and on-course spectators.  Technology Strategy In my mind, the genesis of technology for any Ryder Cup is based on three Es – Engagement, Excitement and Experience. ENGAGEMENT  through relevant and personalised services to every attending spectator, generating EXCITEMENT through the delivery of course features that get fans closer to the action, while ensuring their EXPERIENCE of the Ryder Cup is one of the best sporting events they have ever attended.  This is obviously quite an ask, yet I believe we achieved it in Rome. In 2025 and 2027 we will aim to do the same through five core pillars and with the help of our principle technology partners, Capgemini, SAP, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile (2025 only), each bringing deep strong capabilities and extensive expertise to help shape best-in-class technology solutions.  Pillar #1: Re-imagining the spectator experience  Great connectivity, enhanced navigation and interactive communications optimise the tournament experience, enabling fans to spend more time watching golf, soaking up the atmosphere and immersing themselves in the unique experience. Our new technology features are likely to include:  Some of the largest LED screens in the industry, screens visible from every point on the course, and more than 500 digital TVs   Launching AI-enhanced Outcome IQ providing probability stats on likely hole, session and match winners, as well as AI-generated shot commentary on every shot, and match statistics Shot-by-shot tracker on the new Ryder Cup website and mobile app, with interactive 3D visuals and other engaging features Pillar #2: The intelligent course The technology solutions deployed will ensure the 2025 Ryder Cup will be the most data-driven ever, by implementing a visualised intelligence platform, with multiple data sources, which will enable staff and fans to make smarter real-time decisions.  Examples include a new Customer Data Platform which will unify fan data from multiple sources to