Golden Tee World Championship Registration Smashes Records
Field Now Open to All Qualifiers – "No Player Left Behind"
With three weeks left to qualify the leaderboards tell a story that no one could have anticipated only one month ago.
826 qualifiers. 320 registrants. 12 World Team members. 12 Team USA members. And approximately another 10-15 international players who have committed to attending. To say that response to the largest Golden Tee tournament in history has been overwhelming just doesn’t do it justice.
"We’re blown away – pure and simple," said Gary Colabuono, marketing director at Incredible Technologies and World Championship tournament director. "We knew that this format, timing and venue were optimal, but it’s all converged to create a perfect storm of excitement. Even in this economy the demand is off the charts. Apparently everyone wants to be a part of the biggest Golden Tee weekend in history."
Driving this frenzy is the opportunity to see first hand the excitement, drama and passion of the team competition as Team USA and the World Team compete for the World Championship Cup. No one at the event last year will ever forget Brit Dav Cooper’s dramatic eagle on Rustic Bridge 18 that earned the World Team a tie, or the subsequent controversy afterward.
And clearly another reason that Vegas has become the hottest spot in the Golden Tee universe is the chance to win the ultimate title in video sports – and the $20,000 check that goes with it.
"Anyone can become the Golden Tee World Champion," Colabuono said. "In the past you needed to be a member of Team USA or the World Team but not this year. There are guys from six countries who covet the crown and check. The winner will need keen mental fortitude, unfailing skill and a bit of luck to prevail. It’s going to be quite a weekend!"
Originally only the first 400 American players to qualify and register would join the team members and the international qualifiers in the field. Why the change to open the tournament to everyone?
According to Colabuono it all stems from the overwhelming demand. "We want everyone to experience the ultimate Golden Tee weekend," he said. "We’ve got guys flying private planes to attend. We’ve got guys caravanning from the midwest and the southeast. There are players flying over from Australia and England on their own nickel to compete. How could we tell someone ‘sorry, no room for you?’ We couldn’t – that’s why the change. In the World of Golden Tee it just wouldn’t be right to leave someone behind."
But with this change, what happens if 500 or more players attend? Will there be time to get everything in? According to Colabuono contingency plans are already in the works.
"Depending on the size of the field it’s possible that we may need to cut one or two courses out of the qualifier, but we’re bringing 52 machines – the most ever! – to the tournament, so we’ll have options. Bottom line: play your 50 games, register and you’re in. We’re going to hold this baby even if a thousand players show up."
Colabuono added that to make sure that everyone is a winner, anyone who competes and finishes the qualifying rounds on Saturday will earn at least $25.
"You may not win at the slots or tables, but we guarantee you’ll be a winner playing Golden Tee," he said.
*BONUS* Top Three Qualifiers to Win $1,250 in Golf Equipment! *BONUS*
Besides the format change, Colabuono also announced that the top American qualifiers will also earn an unprecedented bonus.
"We’re going all out this year. The top three qualifiers will each win a complete set of golf clubs and all the stuff you need to play real golf!" he said. Just look at this incredible collection of equipment:
Callaway Warbird Golf Bag
Callaway Hyper X Driver
Odyssey White Hot Saber tooth Putter
Callaway Big Bertha Irons 3-9
Callaway Big Bertha Pitching Wedge
Callaway Golf Shirt (limited sizes)
Callaway Golf Hat
One Dozen Top Flite Gamer Balls
One Dozen Top Flite Freak Balls
"And the top qualifier really scores big. We’re going to give him all this plus we’ll pay his way into all the live player-run Golden Tee tournaments next year," he said. "That’s right, we’re going to allocate $500 for the top qualifier’s entry fees for next year! You’ll actually be in IT’s marketing budget!" Colabuono laughed.
So keep playing and keep improving that average. Vegas awaits. Two days of Golden Tee bliss. And the biggest payday in the history of video sports. Don’t miss it!
One World. One Tournament. One Champion.
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