The 2018 Ryder Cup golf tournament was one of the biggest in the event’s history, and attracted record crowds to Le Golf National in France. In order to deliver an event of this scale, the technology behind the scenes played an important role.
With more than 51,000 fans attending daily to watch 24 players over 28 matches, the host venue required an extensive technology and communications setup to be installed before the tournament. During the event, it also required a coordinated effort to ensure fans, players and television crews were connected and enjoyed a great experience.
Creative Technology, a supplier of specialist audio visual equipment to sports industries that has a long relationship with providing technology solutions to the biennial event, supported the tournament with everything from large video screens to cabling and production equipment. Here are some impressive stats behind the event:
• 425 tons of equipment was taken to Le Golf National by 14 trucks, each 45ft long. This ‘vehicle convoy’ measured the length of the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand, and delivered the equivalent weight of two-and-a-quarter blue whales;
• 726 crew days were needed to set up and manage production throughout the competition – four days short of two years solid work;
• 447 television screens were installed around the course;
•26,000m (85,000ft) of temporary cabling was laid;
• 1,464m² of LED screens were used on-site, a larger surface area than an Olympic sized swimming pool;
• 425 journalists covered the Ryder Cup, and each had the option to tune into 10 audio channels, which totals 4,250 channels.
“The golf course at Le Golf National provided some spectacular amphitheaters around many of the holes. Working with long-time supplier CT (a veteran of nine previous European Ryder Cups) we were able to devise a layout and solution which provided optimal screen viewing for all spectators on the course without compromising direct line of sight viewing of the action on the ground. The state of the art displays performed superbly and CT‘s team dealt with all of the challenges we threw at them,” said Edward Kitson, Ryder Cup match director.
