McGladrey Classic joins the 2010 Kodak Challenge

Kodak and the PGA TOUR today announced that hole Number 13 at The McGladrey Classic on October 7-10 has been added to the 2010 Kodak Challenge schedule. Infamous (?) number 13 at the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club in Sea Island, GA was selected based on the recommendation of tournament host Davis Love III.

The McGladrey Classic will be the 27th of 30 holes in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition. Rickie Fowler currently leads the Kodak Challenge at 12-under-par.

“Basically unchanged since its original design in 1920, Number 13 at the Seaside Course is a classic par-4, as beautiful as it is challenging,” said Love. “For this reason, it fits perfectly into the Kodak Challenge. The late season action of the Kodak Challenge looks to be exciting again this year, and we’re pleased that the players and fans of The McGladrey Classic can be a part of it.”

The Kodak Challenge celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR and challenges players to perform their best on 30 designated Kodak Challenge holes.

A few of the memorable Kodak holes this year were the 18th hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the "Wild Hole" at TPC Scottsdale.

Credit

PGA Tour golfers must play at least 18 of the 30 designated Kodak Challenge holes. The player with the lowest cumulative score on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will win $1 million. The Kodak Challenge concludes on No. 17 at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic on November 11-14. The McGladrey Classic joins the Kodak Challenge at a highly competitive juncture. Fifteen PGA TOUR players are currently within three strokes of Fowler, and another eighteen sit four shots back.


According to Steve Powell, director of program development for the Kodak Challenge, The McGladrey Classic is a great addition to the final chapter of the Kodak Challenge season.

“No. 13 at The McGladrey Classic brings added excitement to the final stretch of the Kodak Challenge, as it gives pros a challenging, yet viable scoring opportunity. With just seven holes to go and more than 30 TOUR players within striking distance of our leader, our Kodak Challenge hole at Sea Island is sure to deliver some great action,” Powell commented.

About the Par 4, 408-yard Hole #13 at The Seaside Course:

Golfers need to take steady aim off the tee as this dog leg left has bunkers along the entire right side of the fairway and a marsh along the left. Depending on the wind, a driver will still leave golfers with a middle iron in to the green, which is protected by a front side bunker.



Kodak Challenge Provides Picture-Taking Moments

Since the Kodak Challenge records a player’s best 18 Kodak Challenge holes scores, pros with a full Kodak Challenge scorecard can move up the leaderboard quickly. Once a player reaches 18 holes, subsequent holes (beyond 18) provide the opportunity to replace bogeys and pars on their Kodak Challenge scorecards with birdies (or even eagles!). This can create a one, two, or even three-shot swing in a player’s score on just one hole.

Several players within striking distance of Fowler have bogeys to replace, including Steve Lowery (-10), Jimmy Walker (-9) and Aaron Baddeley (-9). Three other players at 8-under-par have bogeys on their Kodak Challenge scorecards.

Kevin Streelman claimed the first Kodak Challenge title at the PGA TOUR’s final event of the 2009 season, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Streelman’s early-round birdie at No. 17 on the Magnolia Course clinched the Kodak Challenge crown, netting the second-year TOUR professional the Kodak Challenge trophy and the winner-take-all $1 million prize.

Here's the up-to-date Kodak Challenge Leaderboard (as of 8/18) with the name of golfer, holes played and score:

Rickie Fowler 16 -12

Troy Merritt 17 -11

Brendon de Jonge 17 -10

Ted Purdy 17 -10

Steve Lowery 15 -10

Charlie Wi 14 -10

Carl Pettersson 16 -9

Mark Wilson 16 -9

Jason Bohn 15 -9

John Senden 13 -9

Zach Johnson 12 -9

Share Your Golf Swing with the Kodak PLAYSPORT Camera

Kodak's tiny new PLAYSPORT video camera is adorable: it's also lightweight, waterproof, it can take a fall or two as well as help you to analyze your golf swing at close range in high-definition.

But what makes this $150 video camera worth its purchase price?  Storage room within my golf bag is limited and, being a similar size to my uPro GPS, I may get the two confused while groping around for it.

Here are some of the key features which Kodak insists will enhance My Golf Experience:

·         Video action print – Included in the built-in software. With the click of a mouse, any swing can automatically be turned into a 9-up video action print showing start-to-finish snapshots that are great for analysis and comparison.

·         Easy playback and upload – Playback on your HDTV television with included HDMI cable, or upload to YouTube and Facebook with the included USB cable and built-in software.

·         Slow-motion playback speeds – A variety of playback speeds, plus frame-by-frame stop action to allow golfers (and their coaches) to analyze every swing movement.

·         Five image capture modes – From 5MP stills to full 1080p HD video, including 720p/60 fps which is ideal for capturing golf swings and other high-speed action.

·         Electronic image-stabilization – Helps you get sharper videos and less blur.

·         Made for rugged outdoor use – Has an LCD Glare Shield feature and is waterproof up to 10 feet (so if I fall into a creek on the course, I can capture videos of all of the floating golf balls.)

"The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera combines the superior quality and features of our HD digital video cameras with a rugged, waterproof exterior so you can capture your adventures anywhere they happen – including the golf course,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak.

Kodak also has a group of accessories which they claim will act as the "15th club in my bag." Unfortunately for Kodak, I am limited to fourteen golf clubs and so this bundle, listed below, will have to find somewhere else to rest but may help you on the driving range:

The KODAK Pocket Video Accessory Kit, sold separately, includes:

 

·         Mini Tripod – Set up for stationary image capture and use with remote control

·         Remote Control – Makes it easy to record your own swing

·         Memory Card – 4 GB high-speed card stores up to 80 minutes of video ¹

·         Extra Battery – Provides extended use on the course and back in the clubhouse

·         Easy-carry pack – To neatly stow away in golf bag

I honestly don't know if you are willing to share over an hour of your attempts to make it out of the bunker with your Facebook friends, but perhaps you'll hand it to a member of your foursome while you make the Kodak Challenge shot of the day! The frame-by-frame playback will also help you and your coach work through any swing glitches.

The Kodak PLAYSPORT video camera has all of the makings of a nifty birthday gift (in Adrenaline Rush purple, of course) that your golf buddy would enjoy unwrapping for my their birthday (hint, hint.)

More information about the Kodak PLAYSPORT, go to www.kodak.com/go/playgolf.