Abu Dhabi Golf Championship launch dedicated iPhone application

Organisers of this month's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - in partnership with Platinum Sponsor and Official Telecommunications Provider Etisalat - have launched a dedicated iPhone application for the European Tour 2010 opening tournament - the first time the technology has been used outside golf's four Major Championships.

the free-of-charge application, designed in conjunction with Etisalat to enhance the overall experience of golf fans attending the 2010 Championship, can be downloaded via iTunes. It is filled with useful tournament information including up-to-date news from the Championship, live scores updated by the minute, player profiles and a course map with a 3D fly-through of each hole.

In addition, a two-minute video highlights package of each day that will be delivered through the application after each round concludes at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

To mark the occasion, organisers are offering the first 300 fans to download the application a free any-day complimentary ticket to the 2010 Championship, which features two-time defending champion Paul Casey and seven other world-class players from the top 15 in the World Golf Rankings.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the Championship, running 21-24th January at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, said the iPhone application is a key component of its audience engagement strategy and commitment to utilising cutting-edge technology to enhance the overall experience.

"We are continually identifying new vehicles to allow people to connect with this unique golf destination in the making. Through an iPhone, fans can now follow all the action in real-time from anywhere in the world, as well as download up-to-the-minute footage, interactive hole guides, player bios and a whole lot more," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Head-Major Events Division, ADTA.

"This opens up Abu Dhabi to a far greater audience and allows them to be a part of the experience at the touch of a button. Through the utilisation of progressive technologies, we continue to set the benchmark and give golf enthusiasts and those new to the game a broader platform to engage with the event."

Etisalat, a strong supporter of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship since its inception, views the dedicated iPhone Application as another step in its continuous innovation strategy and its pursuit of bringing sport to fans around the UAE using its technology.

"The iPhone application leverages Etisalat's innovative technology expertise and customer insights to make technology more accessible to our customers through this pioneering initiative. It gives golf enthusiasts the chance to be part of the action and experience the excitement of the Championship through their favourite smartphone," said Abdulla Hashim, Senior VP, Business Solutions, Etisalat,

As Official Telecommunications provider, Etisalat also delivers a number of business solutions to the Championship with wi-fi base stations and an all-encompassing fit-out of the Media Centre, which hosts more than 125 journalists from the UAE and around the world during the four days at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

To complement the new iPhone Application, the ADTA has also introduced a number of other key spectator-engagement components to this year's event, which will see a wealth of the world's top 25 players battle it out including Lee Westwood; Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson; Rory McIlory; Sergio Garcia; Geoff Ogilvy, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim.

New for 2010, ADTA will implement VPAR scoring software for the Al-Masaood Pro-Am, which official begins the Championship on 20th January. VPAR scoring is at the cutting-edge of technology and will ensure real-time scoring on the web.

In addition, Championship Radio - a specific FM radio channel delivering live ball-by-ball commentary, player interviews and analysis from an international broadcast team - will return to ensure fans do not miss any of the action.

Streamed live on a dedicated frequency, FM 97.6, and via the Championship website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com, the information-packed audio is broadcast from a central studio-based production team, with fairway contributors relaying the action back to the studio.

For spectators wanting a break from the stunning on-course action, a host of state-of-the-art interactive activities will run in the event's Championship Village, including the Etisalat Swing, featuring the BATAK reaction game, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club simulator, offering a sneak peak at Abu Dhabi's latest championship-ready course, and the kid-friendly Snag Golf, an integrated system which allows playing, teaching and learning while having fun.

All four days of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010 will be covered live on high definition TV, reaching a cumulative global audience of over 400 million.