For those who prefer team sports (this writer included), golf and its individualistic pursuit of victory may create a disconnect (opinions about certain golfers with feline nicknames notwithstanding). However, the biennial Ryder Cup, which pits top U.S. players against European championship-caliber players in match play, celebrates greatness on the links while creating a team-first atmosphere.
For the 2012 Ryder Cup edition, which took place at the Medinah Country Club in suburban Chicago, electronic message centers (EMCs) were integral in keeping the thousands of spectators onsite – and millions more watching at home on NBC – engaged in the proceedings. According to GoVision, the Plano, TX-based company that designed and built the displays, the 15 displays used during the contest – in which the Europeans staged a furious rally to overtake the U.S. squad – represent the most ever employed during a Professional Golfers Assn. of America (PGA) Tour event. Chris Curtis, GoVision’s CEO, said PGA Tour officials determined placement with the company’s input after two years of collaboration and three site visits.
One prominent installation occurred above a pond between Medinah’s 15th and 16th holes. The 12 ft. 7 in. x 31 ft. 11-in. screen sat atop a pre-installed foundation. Curtis said, “All of our gear is IP 65-rated to be completely waterproof outdoors. We had to be careful that all fiberoptic cable and powersource placement remained above water. On Tuesday of that week, turtles ate through a cable in the middle of the lake, which required quick replacement.”
All displays used during the competition comprised 8mm-pixel-pitch Lighthouse EMC tiles; those used in opening and closing ceremonies were 10mm. The screens displayed a combination of real-time video, replays, scoring updates and some prepared Ryder Cup video archives. Lighthouse’s proprietary processors managed the display transmission through a central onsite location.
Curtis said, “Image clarity, resolution and wide viewing angles are essential, especially for outdoor installations. The bar is high for such prominent installations, and we’re proud of the results.”