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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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.

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

The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings that show:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plurality of geographic locations over which the method of the present invention is operated;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for conducting a golf tournament over the plurality of geographic locations illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a gross score ranking of players within the golf tournament on a website;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of weather condition data collected at each geographic location illustrated in FIG. 1;

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;

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;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of player data collected at each geographic location illustrated in FIG. 1;

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;

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;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method for conducting a golf tournament over the plurality of geographic locations illustrated in FIG. 1; and

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.