World Golf Tour Hosts Charity Challenge
World Golf Tour, in collaboration with PGA.com, introduced the Beta version of its new online golf game with the launch of the PGA.com Charity Challenge Tournament. For the first time ever, players will be able to get a taste of the world’s most authentic online golf experience and help children in need at the same time.
The month-long competition showcases World Golf Tour’s 3D photo technology, while benefiting three educational charities: Teach For America, Sheltering Arms and After-School All-Stars. Sponsors PGA.com, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Walters Golf, Mandalay Bay, Hint Water, and Golfnow.com have teamed up with World Golf Tour to award $30,000 in prizes to participants of the challenge.
Throughout the competition, 10 winners will receive prizes each day, including TaylorMade r7 Irons, TaylorMade Burner Drivers, adidas polo shirts, and a trip to Las Vegas with accommodations at Mandalay Bay, plus a round of golf at the Bali Hai Golf Club. The Grand Prize includes a trip for two to Hawaii, with four rounds of golf. “Everyone at World Golf Tour feels privileged to connect such generous sponsors with top educational charities through this tournament,” said YuChiang Cheng, CEO of World Golf Tour.
“We’re excited to give people an early taste of the World Golf Tour golf experience. Our aim is to make golf accessible and rewarding for all, and with this Beta event, we are running an online charitable golf tournament on a scale never seen before.” “World Golf Tour allows viewers to use the same TaylorMade clubs that are #1 on tour and used by Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, John Daly, Natalie Gulbis and many more,” said Bob Maggiore, Senior Director of Brand Marketing of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “World Golf Tour’s virtual golf game lets golfers hit the best performance golf products while playing some of the best courses in the world.”
“Nine-year-olds growing up in low-income communities are already three grade levels behind their peers in more well off communities,” said Kevin Huffman, Chief Growth and Development Officer for Teach For America. “The contributions received for the Charity Challenge will help us expand educational opportunities to more children in rural and urban communities all over the nation.”
The PGA.com Charity Challenge offers a Beta preview of World Golf Tour’s Version 1 edition, which is expected to launch in 2008. Version 1 will feature multi-player options on elite courses worldwide. The World Golf Tour experience will offer numerous monetization opportunities, and the company will work closely with sponsors looking to reach its audience.