Ball tracking technology passes first test

Ball tracking technology that allows shots to be tracked from tee to complete rest has been used in a competitive event for the first time.

The FlightScope system was tested during the Kerry London Championship, an 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour event staged at Burhill Golf Club’s prestigious New Course.

The system was set up on the par-three closing hole during the tournament, where it proved its ability to track ‘bounce and roll’ on the green and combine it with data from the tee to show the ball’s entire motion from the shot.

With more than 150 tour professionals taking part in the annual tournament at Burhill Golf Club, the venue proved the perfect opportunity for FlightScope to test its groundbreaking equipment.

Stephen Parry, FlightScope director, said: “Burhill Golf Club and the EuroPro Tour will forever be synonymous with this technology since it is a world first. 

“Burhill Golf Club has been incredibly supportive and it has been a pleasure to work with the team there. Nothing proved too much trouble for them, enabling us to do our job efficiently and discretely to avoid disturbing the players.

“Following the success of the event at Burhill, the system is in development for worldwide use in 2014.” 

The tournament was won by Richard Wallis, who won by seven strokes following an impressive score of 65 on the final day, narrowly missing out on sharing the course record with previous winner Billy Fowles, who carded a 64 en route to victory in 2012.

David Cook, general manager of the Burhill Golf Club, commented: “We’re always pleased to host the EuroPro Tour, this is the fifth consecutive year we’ve staged this event and it’s rewarding to now also be involved in the development of new technology that will change the shape of the game.”

For further details visit www.burhillgolf-club.co.uk. To find out more about the PGA Europro Tour visit www.europrotour.com. To see more technology from FlightScope, visit: www.flightscope.com.