U.S. patent application number 14/055518 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for method for conducting a golf tournament over a plurality of geographic locations.
This patent application is currently assigned to Snag, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Snag, Inc.. Invention is credited to Terrence P. Anton.
Application Number | 20150105184 14/055518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52810127 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150105184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anton; Terrence P. |
April 16, 2015 |
Method For Conducting A Golf Tournament Over A Plurality Of
Geographic Locations
Abstract
In one embodiment, a method is provided for conducting a golf
tournament over a plurality of geographic locations. The method
includes the steps of providing a golf course with a fixed layout
in each geographic location and directing one or more players to
simultaneously commence play at the golf course in each geographic
location. The method further includes the steps of recording a
score of each player at the golf course in each geographic location
and ranking the scores of the players over the plurality of
geographic locations with a computer. The method further includes
the step of broadcasting the ranking of the scores over a broadcast
medium linked to the computer. Another method and system are also
included.
Inventors: |
Anton; Terrence P.;
(Tahlequah, OK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Snag, Inc. |
Tahlequah |
OK |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Snag, Inc.
Tahlequah
OK
|
Family ID: |
52810127 |
Appl. No.: |
14/055518 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/409 ;
700/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04W 4/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/409 ;
700/92 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06 |
Claims
1. A method for conducting a golf tournament over a plurality of
geographic locations, said method comprising: providing a golf
course with a fixed layout in each of the plurality of geographic
locations; directing one or more players to simultaneously commence
play at the golf course in each geographic location; recording a
score of each player at the golf course in each geographic
location; ranking the scores of the players over the plurality of
geographic locations with a computer; and broadcasting the ranking
of the scores over a broadcast medium linked to the computer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording step further
comprises recording data related to playing conditions at each
geographic location.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data includes at least one of
wind speed, temperature, precipitation and altitude at each
geographic location.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: adjusting the ranking
of the scores of the players into a net ranking of the scores with
the computer, said adjusting based on the data related to the
playing conditions at each geographic location; and broadcasting
the net ranking of the scores over the broadcast medium.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the broadcasting step further
comprises broadcasting the data related to the playing conditions
for each score within the ranking of the scores.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the broadcasting step comprises
broadcasting a respective ranking of the scores for the players
over the plurality of geographic locations, wherein the scores
included within each respective ranking are based on a respective
range of the data related to the playing conditions.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording further comprises
recording data related to each player at each geographic
location.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data includes at least one of
age, gender and handicap of each player.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: adjusting the ranking
of the scores of the players into a net ranking of the scores, said
adjusting based on the data related to each player at each
geographic location; and broadcasting the net ranking of the scores
over the broadcast medium.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcasting step further
comprises broadcasting the data related to each player for each
score within the ranking of the scores.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcasting step comprises
broadcasting a respective ranking of the scores for the players
over the plurality of geographic locations, wherein the scores
included within each respective ranking are based on a respective
range of the data related to each player.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of geographic
locations are a plurality of distinct metropolitan areas.
13. A method for conducting a golf tournament over a plurality of
geographic locations, said method comprising: providing a golf
course with a fixed layout in each of the plurality of geographic
locations; directing one or more players to simultaneously commence
play at the golf course in each geographic location; recording a
score of each player in a local database at each geographic
location; transmitting the score of each player in each geographic
location from the local database to a central database; ranking the
scores of all of the players over the plurality of geographic
locations with a computer linked to the central database; and
broadcasting the ranking of the scores over a website linked to the
computer.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the recording step further
comprises: recording playing condition data at each geographic
location in the local database, said playing condition data
including at least one of wind speed, temperature, precipitation
and altitude; and recording player data of each player at each
geographic location in the local database, said player data
including at least one of age, gender and handicap.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: adjusting the
ranking of the scores into a net ranking of the scores, based on at
least one of the playing condition data and the player data for
each score; and broadcasting the net ranking of the scores over the
website.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadcasting step comprises
broadcasting the ranking of the scores and broadcasting at least
one of the playing condition data and the player data for each
score within the ranking of the scores.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadcasting step comprises
broadcasting a respective ranking of the scores, wherein the scores
included within each respective ranking are determined based on a
respective range of playing condition data or player data.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the respective ranking of the
scores includes scores based on one of: the wind speed at the
geographic location of the score being greater than a threshold
wind speed; and the wind speed at the geographic location of the
score being less than a threshold wind speed.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the respective ranking of the
scores includes scores based on one of: the handicap of the player
is less than a handicap threshold; and the handicap of the player
is greater than a handicap threshold.
20. A system for conducting a golf tournament over a plurality of
geographic locations, said system comprising: a local database
maintaining data about a golf course with a fixed layout in each of
the plurality of geographic locations, said local database
configured to store gross scores of each player, playing condition
data and course condition data at the golf course at each
geographic location, said playing condition data including wind
speed data and altitude data; a computer located at a central
database, said computer configured to receive the gross scores, the
playing condition data and the course condition data from the local
database at each geographic location; wherein the computer is
configured to calculate a par adjustment of each hole of the golf
course at each geographic location, based on the playing condition
data and course condition data from the local database at each
geographic location; wherein the computer is configured to adjust
the gross scores of the players at the golf course at each
geographic location into net scores based on the par adjustment of
each hole of the golf course at each geographic location; and
wherein the computer is configured to upload the net scores to a
website.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to golf tournaments, and more
particularly to a method for conducting a golf tournament over a
plurality of geographic locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golf tournaments are common among various skill levels, from
beginner to professional. Various patents have been granted in
relation to golf tournaments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,580
to Jira is directed to a system for registering golfers for a
schedule of golf tournaments, collecting entrance fees, determining
the winner of each tournament and paying the prizes to the winners.
Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,124 to Braun, discloses a
method for a golf tournament, in which the scoring of the golf
tournament is affected by viewer interaction and whether a viewer
observes a golfer complying with the tournament rules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment, a method is provided for conducting a
golf tournament over a plurality of geographic locations. The
method includes the steps of providing a golf course with a fixed
layout in each geographic location and directing one or more
players to simultaneously commence play at the golf course in each
geographic location. The method further includes the steps of
recording a score of each player at the golf course in each
geographic location and ranking the scores of the players over the
plurality of geographic locations with a computer. The method
further includes the step of broadcasting the ranking of the scores
over a broadcast medium linked to the computer.
[0004] In another embodiment of the present invention, the method
includes the steps of recording the score of each player in a local
database at each geographic location and transmitting the score of
each player in each geographic location from the local database to
a central database. The method further includes ranking the scores
of all of the players over the plurality of geographic locations
with the computer linked to the central database. The method
further includes broadcasting the ranking of the scores over a
website linked to the computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention is explained in the following description in
view of the drawings that show:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plurality of geographic locations
over which the method of the present invention is operated;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for conducting a golf
tournament over the plurality of geographic locations illustrated
in FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a gross score ranking of players
within the golf tournament on a website;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a plan view of weather condition data collected at
each geographic location illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a net score ranking of players
within the golf tournament on the website based on the weather
condition data of FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a net score ranking of players
within the golf tournament on the website based on a range of the
weather condition data of FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a plan view of player data collected at each
geographic location illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a net score ranking of players
within the golf tournament on the website based on the player data
of FIG. 7;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a net score ranking of players
within the golf tournament on the website based on a range of the
player data of FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method for conducting a
golf tournament over the plurality of geographic locations
illustrated in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a system for conducting a
golf tournament over the plurality of geographic locations
illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present inventors have recognized several limitations of
the conventional methods for conducting golf tournaments. For
example, the inventors recognized that conventional methods for
conducting a golf tournament are limited to a golf tournament
conducted at a golf course at a single geographic location. This is
due to the inherent requirement that a golf tournament must be
played over a fixed golf course layout and conventional golf course
layouts vary from geographic location to geographic location. Based
on this recognition, the present inventors developed a method for
conducting a golf tournament over a plurality of geographic
locations, by providing a golf course with a fixed layout at each
geographic location. By permitting the golf tournament to be
conducted over a plurality of geographic regions, several notable
advantages are achieved over conventional methods, such as an
increased capacity of players in the tournament, for example.
[0018] The term "golf tournament" is used herein. This term is not
meant to be limiting as the tournament may involve a golf game or a
golf-like game. Thus, the use of the term golf tournament relates
to a golf game and/or a golf-like game. Additionally, the term
"golf course" is used herein. This term is not meant to be limiting
as the golf course may pertain to any location where a golf game or
a golf-like game may be played.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a geographic region 108 such as the
continental United States, for example. The geographic region 108
includes a plurality of geographic locations 110, 112, 114, such as
a plurality of metropolitan areas or cities, for example. In the
illustrated example of FIG. 1 the first geographic location 110 is
the city of Orlando, the second geographic location 112 is the city
of Houston and the third geographic location 114 is the city of
Denver. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 is merely exemplary
and the system and method for conducting a golf tournament over a
plurality of geographic locations of the present invention is not
limited to any specific plurality of geographic locations. The
geographic locations may be distributed across a country, as in the
illustrated example of FIG. 1, or a state, or a county or a
metropolitan area, for example.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the system 101 for conducting a golf
tournament over the geographic locations 110, 112, 114. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, a golf course 116 is provided at each
geographic location 110, 112, 114, where each golf course 116 has a
fixed layout. The fixed layout for the golf course 116 at each
geographic location 110, 112, 114 is first determined and then each
golf course 116 with the fixed layout is built at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114. As appreciated by one skilled in the art,
an adequate sized area at each geographic location 110, 112, 114
must be acquired which can accommodate the golf course 116 with the
fixed layout.
[0021] In order to commence the golf tournament, one or more
players are directed to the golf course 116 at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114. Once the player(s) are located at the golf
course 116 in each geographic location 110, 112, 114, the player(s)
are instructed to simultaneously commence play at the golf course
116 at the geographic location 110, 112, 114. In one example, a
shotgun start may be used, where a player at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114 is assigned a starting hole between 1-18 at
the golf course 116, and thus each player simultaneously commences
play at the start time of the tournament. In another example, a
normal tournament start may be used, where each player at each
geographic location 110, 112, 114 is given a tee time to start play
at the first tee on the golf course 116 at each geographic location
110, 112, 114. Since the geographic locations 110, 112, 114 are
positioned in different time zones, the tee times provided to each
player in each geographic location 110, 112, 114 are adjusted, such
that the players commence play simultaneously over the plurality of
geographic locations 110, 112, 114. The players at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114 may be grouped into groups of at least two,
for example. Additionally, the playing time of the tournament is
based on whether a shotgun start (shorter playing time) or a normal
start (longer playing time) is used. For a normal tournament start,
the tee times distributed to the players at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114 span a time range, based on the number of
players at each geographic location 110, 112, 114. The tournament
may take place during one day or more than one day.
[0022] FIG. 2 further illustrates a local database 111, 113, 115 at
the respective geographic location 110, 112, 114. As each player
commences to play on the golf course 116 at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114, the score of each, player is recorded at
the local database 111, 113, 115 at the respective geographic
location 110, 112, 114. For example, one or more scoring personnel
may walk with each player on the golf course 116 at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114, and may record the player score on a mobile
device which is wirelessly connected to the local database 111,
113, 115 at the respective geographic location 110, 112, 114.
[0023] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the player scores that are
recorded in each local database 111, 113, 115 at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114 are transmitted to a central database 117.
The central database 117 may be located at one of the geographic
locations 110, 112, 114 or may be located at a geographic location
other than the geographic locations 110, 112, 114. As further
illustrated in FIG. 2, the central database 117 includes a computer
118. Upon receiving all of the scoring data from all of the local
databases 111, 113, 115, the computer 118 ranks the scoring data to
provide a gross ranking 126 of the scores.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a broadcast medium, such as a website
128, where the computer 118 broadcasts the gross ranking 126 of the
scores, to be accessed and viewed by tournament followers. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, in addition to displaying the gross ranking
126 of the scores of players in the tournament, the website 128
includes the player name, how many holes the player has completed,
and the geographic location 110, 112, 114 of the player.
[0025] As previously discussed, the local database 111, 113, 115
records the player scores at each geographic location 110, 112,
114. In an exemplary embodiment, the local database 111, 113, 115
may further record playing condition data associated with each
geographic location 110, 112, 114. For example, one or more
personnel may be designated at each geographic location 110, 112,
114 to record playing condition data and input this playing
condition data into the respective local database 111, 113, 115. As
with the scoring data, such playing condition data from the local
databases 111, 113, 115 may also be transmitted to the central
database 117. FIG. 4 illustrates a data table of the playing
condition data 130 from each local database 111, 113, 115 received
by the central database 117. Wind speed data 132, temperature data
134, precipitation data 136, and altitude data 138 are provided,
for each geographic location 110, 112, 114. The above listed
playing condition data is merely exemplary and the recorded playing
condition data may be less or more data than the listed playing
condition above.
[0026] Based on the playing condition data 130 of FIG. 4, the
computer 118 at the central database 117 is configured to generate
a net ranking 140 of the scores of the players in the tournament,
based on the playing condition data 130 at each geographic location
110, 112, 114. FIG. 5 illustrates the website 128 with the net
ranking 140 of the scores of the players in the tournament, based
on the wind speed data 132 of FIG. 4. As appreciated by one skilled
in the art, the level of difficulty of golf rises with wind speed.
Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the computer 118 is configured
with an algorithm to factor in wind speed data 132, along with the
other playing condition data 130 at each geographic location 110,
112, 114, and compute the net ranking 140 of scores, based on an
initial gross ranking 126 of scores. For example, the computer 118
determined the net ranking 140 of scores, based on the initial
gross ranking 126 of scores, by subtracting strokes from the gross
score of M. O'Brien, based on the high wind speed data 132 at the
geographic location 114 of M. O'Brien, for example. Similarly, as
appreciated by one of skill in the art, the level of difficulty of
golf decreases with increased temperature (since increased
temperature translates to less dense air and increased ball
flight), and decreases with increased altitude. Thus, the computer
118 may feature similar algorithms, which compute a net ranking of
the scores, based on an initial gross ranking of the scores, by
considering the playing condition data 130 at each geographic
location 110, 112, 114. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the
computer 118 may broadcast the playing condition data 130, such as
the wind speed data 132 for each score within the net ranking 140
of the scores. In addition, the playing condition data 130 may
include data related to the humidity of the air at each geographic
location. In one example, if the playing condition data 130 at one
location indicates a higher humidity, the ball flight may be
greater in that location than a location with a lower humidity and
thus the computer 118 may use this data 130 to compute a net
ranking of the players.
[0027] In addition to using the playing condition data 130 to
determine the net ranking 140 of the scores, the computer 118 may
determine a ranking 142 of the scores, where the only scores
included in the ranking 142 are those scores recorded at a
geographic location that meets a range of the playing condition
data 130. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the ranking 142 of
the scores is shown, for scores in geographic locations 110, 112,
114 where the temperature data 134 is greater than a temperature
threshold. In the example of FIG. 6, the ranking 142 is for scores
in geographic locations 110, 112, 114, where the temperature data
134 is greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the ranking 142
provides an assessment of the players in geographic locations 110,
112, 114 within a specific range of playing condition data 130.
Although the above example of FIG. 6 involved a ranking 142 of the
scores for geographic locations in which the temperature data is
above a temperature threshold, the ranking of the scores may be for
geographic locations in which the wind speed data is greater/less
than a wind threshold, in which the temperature data is less than a
temperature threshold, the precipitation data is less/more than a
precipitation threshold and the altitude data is less/more than an
altitude threshold, or any combination thereof.
[0028] In addition to the score data and playing condition data
130, the local database 111, 113, 115 at each geographic location
110, 112, 114 may be used to store data related to each player at
the geographic locations 110, 112, 114. In an exemplary embodiment,
the player data may include one or more of the age, gender and
handicap of each player, for example. FIG. 7 illustrates a table of
the player data 144 collected by the local databases 111, 113, 115
of each player at the geographic locations 110, 112, 114 and
transmitted to the central database 117. For example, one or more
personnel may be designated at each geographic location 110, 112,
114 to record player data and input this player data into the
respective local database 111, 113, 115. For example, age data 146,
gender data 148, and handicap data 150 are provided, for each
player.
[0029] Based on the player data 144 of FIG. 7, the computer 118 at
the central database 117 is configured to generate a net ranking
152 of the scores of the players in the tournament, based on the
player data 144 of the players at each geographic location 110,
112, 114. FIG. 8 illustrates the website 128 with the net ranking
152 of the scores of the players in the tournament, based on the
handicap data 150 of FIG. 7. As appreciated by one skilled in the
art, a player's net score is determined by subtracting the player's
handicap from the player's gross score. Thus, for example, player
M. O'Brien's net score (-3) is determined by subtracting the
handicap (8) from the gross score (+5). This same process is
repeated for each player, and the computer 118 includes an
algorithm to compute the net score for each player, after which the
computer 118 determines the net ranking 152 of the scores.
Similarly, as appreciated by one of skill in the art, age data 146
and gender data 148 have an impact on a golfer's net score, such
that the computer 118 includes an algorithm to convert the gross
score to a net score, based on the age data 146 and gender data 148
of each golfer. As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the computer 118
may broadcast the player data 144, such as the handicap data 150
for each score within the net ranking 152 of the scores.
[0030] In addition to using the player data 144 to determine the
net ranking 152 of the scores, the computer 118 may be used to
determine a ranking 154 of the scores, where the scores included in
the ranking 154 are based on a range of the player data 144. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the ranking 154 of the scores is
shown, for those players where the handicap data 150 is less than a
handicap threshold. In the example of FIG. 9, the ranking 154 is
for player scores, where the player handicap data 150 is less than
8. Thus, the ranking 154 provides an assessment of those players in
tournament, with a specific range of player data 144 (e.g. low
handicap players). Although the above example of FIG. 9 involved a
ranking 154 of the scores for players with handicap data less than
a handicap threshold, the ranking of the scores may be for players
with age data above an age threshold, with age data below an age
threshold, male gender players, female gender players, or with
handicap data above a handicap threshold, or any combination
thereof.
[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 100 for
conducting a golf tournament over the plurality of geographic
locations 110, 112, 114. The method 100 begins at 161 by providing
162 a golf course 116 with a fixed layout in each of the plurality
of geographic locations 110, 112, 114. The method 100 further
includes directing 164 one or more players to simultaneously
commence play at the golf course 116 in each geographic location
110, 112, 114. The method 100 further includes recording 166 a
score of each player at the golf course 116 in each geographic
location 110, 112, 114. The method 100 further includes ranking 168
the scores of the players over the plurality of geographic
locations 110, 112, 114 with the computer 118. The method 100
further includes broadcasting 170 the ranking of the scores over a
broadcast medium 128 linked to the computer 118, before ending at
171.
[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a system 100' for conducting a golf
tournament over the plurality of geographic locations 110, 112,
114. For simplicity, the system 100 is illustrated and described in
terms of the geographic location 110 and the local database 111 at
the geographic location 110. However, the geographic locations 112,
114 and local databases 113, 115 would have the same interaction
with the system 100'. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the altitude data
138, the playing condition data 130 and a course condition data 139
are all transmitted from the local database 111 to the computer
118. The course condition data 139 includes various data indicative
of the golf course condition, including but not limited to whether
the course is wet or dry, the type of grass used on the
fairway/rough, grass height, and/or whether a portion of the golf
course is under repair. For example, the course condition data 139
for a golf course in Florida may indicate that the course uses
Bermuda type grass and that the greens are undergoing an aeration
repair. Thus, the computer 118 may factor in this course condition
data 139, as compared to the type of grass and whether repairs are
being performed on the golf courses at the other geographic
locations, when the computer 118 ranks the player scores at each
geographic location. As discussed above, the altitude data 138,
playing condition data 130 and course condition data 139 are
recorded at the golf course 116 at the geographic location 110 by
tournament personnel. Additionally, the gross scores 126 are
transmitted from the local database 111 to the computer 118. As
also discussed above, the gross scores 126 of the players at the
geographic location 110 are also recorded by tournament personnel.
Upon receiving the altitude data 138, the playing condition data
130, the course condition data 139 and the gross scores 126 from
the local database 111 the computer 118 calculates a par adjustment
for each hole of the golf course 116 with the fixed layout. For
example if the altitude data 138 is above an altitude threshold,
the computer 118 may reduce the par of each hole of the golf course
116 by a fractional amount, such as 0.15, for example. In another
example, if the wind speed data 132 (i.e., the playing condition
data 130) exceeds a threshold speed, the computer 118 may increase
the par of each hole of the golf course 116 by a fractional amount,
such as 0.2, for example. Based on the received data from the local
database 111, the computer 118 calculates a par adjustment 123 for
each hole of the golf course 116. Based on the calculated par
adjustment 123 for each hole of the golf course 116, the computer
118 then adjusts the received gross scores 126 into net scores 160
which factor in the par adjustment 123 of each hole of the golf
course 116. The computer 118 then uploads the net scores 160 onto
the website 120 and the net scores 160 may be displayed on the
tournament website 120. The same exchange of data is performed
between the computer 118 and the local databases 113, 115 at the
geographic locations 112, 114, so that the computer 118 can
determine the par adjustment 123 for each hole on the golf courses
118, 120, and output the net scores 160 for all of the players at
all of the geographic locations 110, 112, 114 on the website 120.
This system 100' is merely exemplary, and the tournament scores
need not factor in a par adjustment of each hole on the golf
courses at the geographic locations, and instead the tournament may
rank the scores of the players based on any of the previously
discussed ranking techniques discussed in the previous embodiments
of the present invention.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the golf tournament of the
present invention may be scheduled within various time zones. For
example, within the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) of the United
States, a tournament may be held among the geographic locations of
Detroit and Pittsburgh. However, this is merely one example of how
one tournament may be scheduled and the tournament of the present
invention need not be restricted to any one specific time zone.
Additionally, the tournament of the present invention may be
scheduled within geographic locations that are restricted to a
local area, a regional area, a national area or even an
international region, for example. Indeed, an international
regional tournament provides players with the benefit of
participating in a simultaneous international or global tournament
without needing to travel outside the players local
neighborhood.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, in addition to each golf course
116, 118, 120 having a fixed layout, each golf course 116, 118, 120
may feature greens that have a fixed flagstick placement on each
green. For example, the greens of the fixed golf course layout of
each golf course 116, 118, 120 may be separated into numbered
quadrants, and a fixed quadrant of each green may be selected for
each day of the tournament across all of the golf courses 116, 118,
120. However, the fixed flagstick placement is optional and the
tournament need not include numbered quadrants and assign a fixed
quadrant for each green across all the golf courses.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the website 120 may also feature
a profile for each player, with introductory information including
their geographic location, background information and photos/video
to introduce the player to the viewing public. However, the player
profiles are optional for the website 120, provided that the
ranking of the scores displayed by the website 120 adequately
identifies each player within the ranking.
[0036] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such
embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous
variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing
from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the
invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *