4/01/2015

Intelligent Play for Golfers


Intelligent Play is a new golf tracking app and platform. In fact, the fastest and easiest way to track a round of golf, generating powerful stats and visuals for the user without the need for a laborious data-inputting process. Or any additional distractions on the course.

With Intelligent Play golfers are being given the chance to use a piece of new technology to improve their game, while avoiding tuts in the clubhouse.

Developed in the golfing homeland of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington, the Intelligent Play team, with offices in Belfast and Dublin, prides itself on developing creating the fastest and easiest way to track your stats from a round of golf.

The tracking app and platform allows users to generate a wealth of data about their game. Importantly, that data is captured without the need to bring any extra technology or gadgets onto the course.

Golfers fill out the GameCardTM as they would a regular scorecard. After their round, they simply snap a photo using Intelligent Play’s GameScanTM technology. Within seconds, they are provided with powerful visuals and stats on their most recent round.

Intelligent Play’s CEO Fergus Wallace explained: “The modern golfer is very much interested in simple stats and data that can polish their game, save a few shots and help them get one over on their playing buddies.

“But technology and smart phone use that, in anyway, disturbs or holds up play remains a big no-no on courses around the world. Intelligent Play allows golfers to easily collect the data they need using our GameCardsTM, an intelligent but simple evolution of the humble scorecard.”

After being scanned, the data is quickly transformed by the Intelligent Play platform into visuals showing measurable aspects of the golfer’s performance. Users can track statistics including percentage of fairways hit, greens in regulation percentage and average number of putts, plus detailed analysis of where they are missing fairways and greens.

“Intelligent Play golfers can take the data generated and share it with their coach, who can use it to inform their sessions to iron out obvious flaws.”

“Additionally, the stats can be shared on social media to give a new depth and measurability to clubhouse banter about who has had a good round, or even a good season. Users can also share their stats with the Intelligent Play community to see how their game measures up against other golfers around the world who are playing off the same handicap.”

One of the first coaches to use Intelligent Play was local PGA coach Geoff Bleakley.

“As a PGA Professional, I find Intelligent Play is a great new innovation in helping both me, as a coach, and the pupil by making it very easy to identify specific areas where the pupil needs to improve.

“It’s so simple for the pupil to record their strokes on the GameCardTM. Then, with a single screen shot on their smart phone, their stats are delivered to both the pupil and coach within 30 seconds in a very clear and easy to understand graphic.

“This information it gives me, as a PGA coach, an immediate and detailed record of how the pupil is progressing and how they are performing on the course.

“I’m delighted with this great addition to my coaching.”

Fergus added: “We must thank a number of local golfers, coaches and clubs who helped us to beta-test the initial concept. We wanted to ensure Intelligent Play is easy to use, combining the idea of capturing and identifying simple improvement stats while sharing and enjoying your game of golf.

“The initial response from golfers of all levels has been fantastic and we have even teamed up with a number of Irish coaches and clubs to develop their own individually branded Intelligent Play apps which they can offer to their students and members.

“Ultimately, if we can help the golfer to play, enjoy and improve their game that little bit more in 2015, then we have a result.”

Intelligent Play is available for golfers, coaches and clubs to try for free at www.intelligentp.com or by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store


3/27/2015

Injured McDowell Masters Doubt


Graeme McDowell has been forced to withdraw from the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio with an ankle injury.

The Northern Irishman suffered the problem during practice on Wednesday and, although he managed to play his opening nine holes on Thursday, he pulled out of the tournament before setting his sights on getting fit for the Masters.

McDowell, tweeted: "Apologies to everyone at @valerotxopen for my withdrawal. Strained my lower left leg/ankle area practicing y/day and played with heavy strapping on it in the pro am and this morning.

"With The Masters upcoming I decided that getting fit is imperative. Don't like WDs.

"The week here at @valerotxopen had everything I wanted. Great people and great course. Disappointed this has happened. Thanks to everyone."

McDowell, who won the US Open in 2010, was five over at the Valero Texas Open when he withdrew, having started on the back nine.

The Masters begins at Augusta National on April 9.


3/26/2015

Hoey leads Irish in Morocco

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Michael Hoey lies five shots off the lead after the first round of Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.

Kevin Phelan joins Hoey on two under.

The Belfast player, who won the tournament in 2012, carded four birdies and two bogeys to record a two under-par 70 and lie in a share of 22nd spot.

Gareth Maybin has work to do to make the cut as he is tied 78th on two over.

Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane are struggling on four over after Thursday;s opening round.

France’s Adrian Saddier shone on only his second European Tour start of the season to take a one shot lead after the opening round of the Trophee Hassan II.

Saddier lost his full playing privileges after finishing 127th on The Race to Dubai last year and missed the cut on his only previous appearance in 2015 at the Joburg Open.

But after chipping in for eagle on Golf du Palais Royal’s first hole, the 22 year old added five birdies in a flawless seven under par 65.

That was one clear of England’s Daniel Gaunt, who had a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th before bogeying the last in a 66.

South African George Coetzee, one of a number of players in the field needing a big week to qualify for next month’s Masters Tournament, Scotland’s David Drysdale and England’s Chris Wood all lie two off the pace on five under.

“I’m very happy - I was very grateful to get an invite to play here,” said Saddier, who handed his invite back when his status snuck him into the field on Monday.

“This place is just unbelievable. I played very solid today - I had a chip in for eagle on the first then another chip in on six, so it was a great start and I kept it going.

“I just have a little category on The European Tour so I will be focused on The Challenge Tour this year. 

“I played last week in Madeira and although the tournament was cancelled I was playing well in the strong wind so I’m in good shape for this week.

“It’s almost my best round; I shot 64 in Qatar last year, which was eight under, so this is one of my best rounds. 

“If I could get a win it would change my schedule as at the moment I’m playing on the Challenge Tour - I just need to focus on each shot now and see what happens.”

Coetzee and Marcel Siem kept their hopes of qualifying for the Masters Tournament very much alive.

Both men have the daunting task of knowing only a victory in Morocco would be enough to book a trip to Augusta National for the first Major Championship of the year.South Africa's Coetzee carded a 67, one shot ahead of Siem.

Siem led from start to finish here in 2013 and looked to have done enough to climb into the Official World Golf Ranking's top 50 and secure his Masters debut.

However, after the results of the Houston Open were taken into consideration a few hours later, the 34 year old discovered he was ranked 51st and had missed out by just 0.03 points.

"It's a big week for me and four under is a good start," Siem said.

"I'm really excited about playing the Masters, I've never played it. I finished it off two years ago and still did not get in. It was a little horrible.

"I'm going to keep doing what I did today, try hard not to make any stupid mistakes. I have got the experience and I know the golf course. I will make enough birdies I reckon....just (need to) avoid the mistakes."

Siem and Coetzee were not the only members of the field with Georgia on their minds, with Alexander Levy, Andy Sullivan, Tommy Fleetwood and Ross Fisher all having chances to move into the top 50 before Monday's deadline.

World number 54 Levy needs to finish in a two-way tie for second or better, while Sullivan has to match his runners-up finish from last year or claim his third European Tour title of the season to move up from 61st.

Fleetwood and Fisher both need to win, but the latter got off to a terrible start with two double bogeys in his first three holes and carded a 77 which was matched by defending champion Alejandro Cañizares.

Fleetwood completed a two under 70, Levy went round in level par and Sullivan was two over for the day.



McDowell Injury Ends Texas Open

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Graeme McDowell's preparations for the Masters suffered a setback when injury forced him to withdraw from the Texas Open midway through the first round.

The Northern Irishman said he had not recovered from a stress injury to his lower left leg which he picked up during practice on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old was five over par for nine holes on Thursday when he pulled out of the tournament.

McDowell had received physiotherapy and played with his leg strapped up.

It is believed the injury will not prevent the world number 23 from competing in the first major of the year at Augusta (9-12 April) and he is scheduled to compete in the Houston Open next week.

McDowell had been playing with Dustin Johnson and Jim Furyk at the TPC San Antonio course when he advised them he could not carry on.


3/25/2015

Eircom Join Irish Open Team

European Tour
Eircom Business Solutions has joined forces with The European Tour to become Official Telecommunications Sponsor of the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by The Rory Foundation. 

The event takes place in Royal County Down Golf Club from May 28-31 and will bring many of the biggest international golfing stars to Northern Ireland, including tournament host and World Number One, Rory McIlroy.

The combination of McIlroy’s influence in his homeland and the return to Royal Country Down has ensured a high quality field featuring Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood and American Rickie Fowler.

This will be the second year that eircom Business Solutions has been involved with the Irish Open, having launched its partnership with the event at the 2014 Irish Open at Fota Island. More than 80,000 visitors are expected at Royal County Down with an audience of millions watching the action on TV across the world, showcasing Irish golf on a global stage. 

James Finnigan, Irish Open Commercial Director, said, “We are delighted to have eircom Business Solutions on board as Official Telecommunications Sponsor. The Irish Open is one of the most highly anticipated events in the European golfing calendar and this year will showcase the greatest names in the sport. The support of companies such as eircom Business Solutions is instrumental in highlighting the Irish involvement in golf and showcasing some of the world’s best players.” 

Commenting on the announcement Gary Disley, Marketing Director, eircom Business Solutions said: “We are very honoured to play such a big part in the tournament this year.Home-grown events of this kind benefit the whole country – from an economic perspective, but alsoin terms of showcasing our world-class players and the stunning Irish scenery. Our customers are passionate about sporting events like the Irish Open and eircom Business Solutions is very proud to be cheering alongside them this year.” 

The last time the Irish Open was held in Northern Ireland was in 2012 when the record-breaking event at Royal Portrush became the first European Tour event to sell out in advance.