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- PGA Tour AR launched in 2018 and expanded in 2020
- Tour also gains minority stake in Quintar
Golf’s PGA Tour has expanded its partnership with augmented reality (AR) partnership with Quintar, allowing spectators at more events on the circuit to their collaborative real time data and graphics platform while at the course.
Quintar has now become the official mobile augmented reality developer of the PGA Tour, which also becomes a minority stakeholder in the company, whose investors also include SeventySix Capital.
The tour launched the PGA Tour AR app back in 2018, with Quintar joining as developer two years later.
The application lets fans in attendance link their device to the course so they can see metrics like tee-shot trails, ball speed, player cards and the distance to pin overlayed on the feed from their camera. Data is provided by ShotLink, the Tour’s scoring system.
The idea is that fans get the same experience on the course as they would at home from the tour’s broadcast partners. It is also hoped that users will share how they’re using the app with friends and on social media, driving engagement and raising awareness for the tour.
The app is only available on ‘selected’ holes at certain events but there are explains to expand to ten events in 2022 and more in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The organisations have also partnered with DraftKings, the tour’s official betting partner, to sponsor the app.
“The PGA Tour is excited to expand our relationship with Quintar with a goal of creating a more immersive and engaging tournament experience for fans,” said Scott Gutterman, PGA Tour senior vice president of digital operations. “We have seen positive interaction and growth with our previous Quintar AR engagements and look forward to building on the momentum.”
“The PGA Tour has been an incredible partner that is focused on delivering the most immersive and engaging experiences for their fans,” said Quintar president and co-founder Jeff Jonas. “Together we are leveraging the powerful Quintar platform and bringing the digital world to life, but we are just scratching the surface. We are thrilled to expand our relationship and look forward to creating new experiences and changing how fans engage with the PGA Tour.”
