WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship

Accenture is a global umbrella sponsor of the World Golf Championships and the title sponsor of the series' season-opening event, the Accenture Match Play Championship. The 2009 Accenture Match Play Championship takes place on February 25–March 1, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona. Catch the action as the top 64 players in the world battle for the Walter Hagen Cup.
This prestigious Accenture Match Play Championship is the cornerstone event of the World Golf Championships, a series of three global golf tournaments that traditionally attracts one of the strongest fields in golf. The match-play format of the Accenture Match Play Championship is unique among the World Golf Championships events and delivers some of the most exciting and compelling golf that fans see all season. The rules of engagement for single-elimination match play are clear and simple: win or go home.
The world’s best golfers will gather for the 11th playing of the World Golf Championships (WGC) - Accenture Match Play Championship February 25 – March 1 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at the new Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, outside Tucson, Arizona.
The 64 elite players, as identified by the Official World Golf Ranking, will duel head-to-head in five days of nail-biting, single-elimination competition for a US$1.4 million winner’s share of the US$8.5 million prize purse and the sought-after Walter Hagen Cup, named after golf’s greatest match-play competitor.

Unlike stroke play, which adds up all strokes from multiple days of play to produce a winner, match play is a hole-by-hole format that rigorously tests a golfer’s skill, strategy and nerves. The world-class players competing must bring their best games and perform at their highest levels for five consecutive days to have a chance of winning the Accenture Match Play Championship.
The Championship is further distinguished by four 16-player brackets that were added in 2003. The 64 players are divided into four brackets of 16 players, each named in honor of one of golf’s greatest players: Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Gary Player and Sam Snead. Players in each of the brackets are seeded No. 1 through No. 16, with the No. 1 seed playing the No. 16 seed in the first round, No. 2 pairing off with No. 15, No. 3 meeting No. 14 and so forth.
All matches leading up to the final match are 18 holes, while the final match is 36 holes. In addition, the losers of the semifinal matches play an 18-hole consolation match for third place. The five-day, six-round tournament begins on Wednesday, with a round per day through Friday. The quarterfinals and semifinals are played on Saturday; the finals and third-place match conclude the tournament on Sunday.

By the way, Tiger is ready to defend his 2008 title. He will definitely make other golfers run for their money. The only person will surely smile are the sponsorship companies!!!!

Equipment Sponsorship for Players-It’s About Relationships

According to Golf Digest, Tiger Woods made $769,440,709 from 1996 to 2007, and the magazine predicts that by 2010, Woods will become the world's first athlete to pass one billion dollars in earnings. The interesting fact is that Tiger earned at least USD100M a year without swinging any golf club thru endorsement.

According to players agent, better known golfers can easily get endorsement worth USD300,000.00 to USD500,000.00 a year from equipment manufacturer and other commercial business. even unknown golfers can sign for endorsement money that ranges from USD150,000.00 to USD200,000.00 a year.

So, why do golf equipment companies pay these high sum of money to so many touring pros? Very simple: Tour validation is extremely important in selling golfing stuff. If Tiger Woods or any other pros use it, for sure amateurs want to use it.

To prove it, CNBC estimate that Nike had lost $65 million to $75 million worth of lost exposure for the rest of the year while Tiger Woods' knee recovers. The sport Economist estimates at least $50 million, not just to Nike but also in lost gate receipts for events and advertising revenue

Golf Humor

courtesy from http://www.golfun.net/

A Perfect Youngster

While only 20 years old, this golfer from Northern Ireland is ready for a breakthrough. He came into golf’s spotlight when he finished T42 and was the low amateur at 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.
McElroy made his first appearance in a European Tour event a few days after turning sixteen, when he took part in the 2005 British Masters. He made the cut on the European Tour for the first time as a seventeen year old at the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic, where he had to forego prize money of over €7,600 due to his amateur status.

After finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2008, McIlroy attained his highest world ranking position of 50, making him the youngest ever player to make the top 50. He finished the 2008 calendar year at 39th in the world rankings after finishing joint 3rd in the South African Open. This earned him an invitation to US Master in April 2009, only 18 months after turning pro. His first professional win came when he won the Dubai Desert Classic on 1 February 2009; this win took him to 16th in the world rankings. Bla..bla bla..bla…

His career earning after 18 months turning pro? USD2,055,359.00

Hmmmm…. Let’s see where am I while I was 20 years old…..

Ahah!!! I remember that I am banging my head with my band mate singing “Perfect Stranger” from Deep purple. (I wish to become rock star those days!!!)