New York based Sportvision will provide its patented Virtual Caddy system for USA Network's coverage of one of the PGA TOUR's premiere events, 'The International', scheduled to take place in Castle Rock, Colorado on 1 and 2 August.

According to a company release, Virtual Caddy will enable USA's analysts to "draw" directly on the green or fairway, illustrating different elements of golf play such as landing zones, putting lines, slope and contour. The technology will provide powerful visual insights into player performance by inserting highlighted areas directly into the video.

Like Sportvision's Emmy Award winning 1st & Ten virtual first down marker for football, Virtual Caddy creates the illusion that arrows, highlights and other symbols are "painted" directly on the grass, with balls and players crossing over them. Different from a telestrator, the Virtual Caddy system adjusts to the camera's pan, tilt and zoom, says the release.

'The International' utilises Stableford scoring, meaning golfers score points rather than count strokes. Players are rewarded with five points for an eagle and two points for a birdie, while players receive nothing nor lose anything for par. Players are deducted one point for a bogey and three points for double bogey or worse. Due to this scoring system, players need to play more aggressively and course management becomes a more key component to each player's strategy.

USA Network is a programme service of Universal Television, a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the US-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global and media communications company.


Click here for more TV Technology Update