NORTH WEST COMPANIES TO SAMPLE GOLF’S VERSION OF TWENTY20 CRICKET

Region’s first ‘two flag’ company golf day promises rapid-fire thrills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 March 2009

Slow corporate golf days could soon be a thing of the past, as companies in the North West get their first taste of golf’s new ‘two flag’ game next month - on St George's Day.

And local event organiser Jennifer Shaw expects that the fast-rising ‘risk and reward’ format of PowerPlay Golf, the rapid-fire golf format which is currently spreading throughout the USA, will attract a big field for her latest event.

Jennifer Shaw Events is running a Corporate PowerPlay Golf Day on Friday April 23rd 2009, at Oak Royal Golf & Country Club, nr Chorley. Companies in the region are invited to enter teams of three golfers, who will play a special nine-hole ‘PowerPlay Shootout’ on the day.

Greater Manchester Chamber Of Commerce Members receive a 10% discount on entry fees to the Oak Royal event, which starts at 12:30 at the popular Chorley golf club. Although companies are invited to enter up to three people, golfers can also enter as individuals.

The event is being staged by Shaw as an introduction to PowerPlay Golf for local companies, with the intention of running a series of linked corporate PowerPlay Golf events throughout the region in 2009. Sponsorship packages starting at £75 are available.

The special golf day uses the made-for-TV ‘Shootout’ format of PowerPlay Golf, which has been heralded as golf’s answer to Twenty20 Cricket throughout the world.

In PowerPlay Golf, golfers are faced with two flags on each green – a difficult Black Flag and an easier White Flag. Golfers have limited opportunities to shoot for the Black Flag, which rewards net birdies or better with double Stableford points. There’s also a gripping final-hole decision to take, with extra risks attached.

In the ‘Shootout’, golfers attempt to make maximum points in order to make the Final Six, who then compete in a one-hole Shootout which guarantees a close finish.

All scores are gathered afterwards on the internet, and golfers earn PowerPlay Dollars as they play. Custom leagues are then set up so golfers can compete with their friends and colleagues.

“PowerPlay Golf is fantastic for corporate golf,” said Jennifer Shaw, who is the licensed PowerPlay Golf Event Organiser for the North West of England. “It’s an incredibly exciting yet very authentic new form of golf, which puts players under Tour levels of pressure in a short time-frame. Its 9-hole format solves one of golf’s biggest problems – namely, that it takes too long. With PowerPlay, you get a real buzz and a great tournament, in half the time.”

Over 400 golf courses around the world have now become Official Venues for the game, which was the brainchild of former GB&I Walker Cup captain, Peter McEvoy OBE, who will attend the Oak Royal event on 23 April.

“Jennifer’s event is the perfect opportunity for businesses in the North West to find out about PowerPlay Golf,” said McEvoy. “Company golf days have become slower and slower, and are in danger of putting people off golf. PowerPlay gets your customers around the golf course and back into the clubhouse in a much shorter time – but the buzz both on and off the course is, if anything, even better than a regular 18-hole event.”

PowerPlay Golf has gained support from many of the golfing world’s governing bodies and associations, including the PGA and the World Golf Foundation (which comprises the R&A, the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the USGA and the US PGA). Plans are well advanced for PowerPlay Golf to be seen on TV screens around the world in 2009.

Companies wishing to take part should contact Jennifer Shaw on 0845 130 9517, or email Jennifer@jennifershawevents.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

About PowerPlay Golf (www.powerplay-golf.com)

PowerPlay Golf is the two-flag, nine-hole, ‘risk and reward’ format being rolled out around the golfing world. Players earn extra points for birdies or better when playing to the Black Flag, which is generally in a difficult position on the green. A round of PowerPlay Golf takes half the time of a normal 18-hole round. Peter McEvoy, OBE, the former Walker Cup captain, is one of the game’s co-creators.

About Jennifer Shaw Events ( www.jennifershawevents.co.uk)

The World Golf Foundation is a nonprofit organization that develops and supports initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values. The Foundation, which was founded in 1993 and is supported by major international golf organizations and professional Tours, provides oversight to World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20 and other industry initiatives in support of its mission.