SYDNEY — A new short format golf event modeled on cricket’s Indian Premier League will debut in Australia in 2023 featuring 10 teams from the city including the Bangkok Blades, Dubai Kings and New York Tigers, it was announced Tuesday.
Designed to revolutionize the sport and expand its audience, the Ultra Golf Championship (UGC) is played over nine holes with four-player teams that include a marquee captain.
No names were announced, although local reports said world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler of the United States and Australian world No. 3 Cameron Smith were targeted.
The unique scoring system rewards risk-taking with 10 points for a hole-in-one, eight for an albatross, six for an eagle, four for a birdie and two for a par.
There are also four special holes that must be exploited, including a longest drive, power play, alternate shot and best ball, which can earn more points. The teams play seven rounds and a final series over four days.
The concept is the brainchild of Australian businessman Deke Smith, with the Australian PGA acting as sponsorship partner and sanctioning authority. He said: “For more than five years we have worked on the UGC as a concise, strategic and tactical golf tournament.
“We are appealing to a broader fan base by offering people a new way to enjoy golf, sports and entertainment, and we think this is a great way to expand the game of golf.
“We believe this concept will appeal to a younger audience because we will see a result in two hours of golf. We see community sports fans rallying behind their own city team.”
It follows the launch of the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV series, which has lured many of the sport’s biggest names away from the established US and European tours by offering massive prize pools across 54-hole events.
In addition to Bangkok, Dubai and New York, other teams from Delhi, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo will be represented.
“We know that once some of the best players in the world bring this world-first format to television next year, UGC will become a part of every golf fan’s life,” said Nick Dastey, PGA Tour of Australia Tournament Director.
“This is an event we are passionate about and which continues to align with our innovation in play in Australia.”
It will debut next December on a yet-to-be-announced course, with Smith planning to turn it into a global series with “some really wealthy[individuals]behind it.”
“We’re already in (negotiations) with five or six really important players from around the world,” he told the Australian newspaper.
“Again, the feedback from these guys has been amazing. They love it, they see it’s different.
“People around the world saw what happened to cricket and this short form game. To be perfectly honest we modeled it on the Indian Premier League.” AFP, REUTERS
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