The PGA TOUR and CDW Corporation today announced a five-year integrated marketing and business partnership, through 2012, whereby CDW becomes the “Official Technology Partner of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.”
As a leading provider of technology solutions, CDW will work with the TOUR to enhance its technological capabilities in a variety of areas. These include the continued advancement of the TOUR’s ShotLink scoring system, expansion of technology-based solutions that improve the fan experience and advancement of the TOUR’s operation for players and staff, plus the introduction of digital asset management at PGA TOUR Productions.
“Technology is an extremely important category for the PGA TOUR as it is critical to the way we present our sport. CDW offers a unique opportunity for us to take advantage of the latest technology solutions through its multiple product partners,” said Tom Wade, Chief Marketing Officer of the PGA TOUR. “We are absolutely delighted that CDW has become our technology partner and we look forward to working with their team to bring important and exciting enhancements to the TOUR.”
“This partnership is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how CDW helps organizations achieve their goals through specialized technology solutions,” said Mark Gambill, Chief Marketing Officer, CDW. “We look forward to leveraging our IT expertise and range of products and partners to help the PGA TOUR provide an enhanced experience for fans and improve TOUR operations.”
“CDW offers a great opportunity to leverage the best products and services for our various technology needs,” said Steve Evans, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President of Information Services. “The digital asset management project is a good example of where we will most likely leverage multiple providers in order to build the right solution for the PGA TOUR Productions facility. CDW also will allow us to optimize our software licensing by consolidating this traditionally difficult to manage part of information technology.”
Evans went on to say that the TOUR will be looking to CDW to improve on-site data communications between ShotLink, the media center, the broadcast compound and other locations. “ShotLink is a very valuable strategic asset that the TOUR has developed over the years and while the fundamental architecture will remain in place, we look forward to working with CDW to identify ways to further enhance the value ShotLink provides to fans, media, TV partners and other TOUR constituents.”
CDW will have its brand linked to scoring within PGA TOUR telecasts, on PGATOUR.com and on-site within the content of the TOUR’s new LED scoreboards.
About CDW
CDW®, ranked No. 342 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government and education. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services including top name brands such as Acer, Adobe, APC, Apple, Cisco, EMC, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Panasonic, Quantum, Samsung, Sony, Symantec, ViewSonic and Xerox. CDW’s direct model offers customers one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers and access to approximately 820 on-staff engineers and advanced technology specialists who customize solutions for customers’ complex technology needs. CDW also provides same-day product shipping and post-sales technical support.
CDW was founded in 1984 and as of September 30, 2007, employed approximately 6,100 coworkers. In 2006, the company generated sales of $6.8 billion. For more information, visit CDW.com.
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2008, the three Tours will compete in 108 events for approximately $355 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in nine countries outside the U.S. and in 37 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
About PGA TOUR ShotLink
ShotLink is the PGA TOUR’s real-time scoring system that collects information for every shot by every player as soon as it happens. ShotLink was introduced in the 2001 PGA TOUR season and is recognized for its accuracy and timeliness. ShotLink provides the information necessary to bring about fan enhancements via: television broadcasts, on-line executions on PGATOUR.com, print media, on-site and off-site mobile solutions, on-site scoreboards, and a host of other executions. ShotLink utilizes laser and radar technology on the PGA TOUR. ShotLink with laser technology is used on the Champions Tour and ShotLink’s standard scoring functions are used on the Nationwide Tour.