Reflections On The 2008 U.S. Open: The AmEx TV's
As a devoted supporter of the USGA's corporate partner program (what would I make fun of without it?), you already knew my first stop of the week was at the American Express Experience. Okay, so it was. But when I heard they were loaning out free mini televisions to the first few thousand cardholders, I made my way to the tent Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. to find a 700-yard long line (the first group would not tee off for another hour).
"Championship Vision" is a wonderfully simple little device that the USGA signed off on as an experiment that became one of the real hits of the Open. Sunday I arrived at 7:15 and the line stretched to the merchandise tent a hundred yards away. 
The Sunday line to get a TV (click to enlarge)
The screen is approximately 4x6, provides an amazing photo and has a strong signal that carried the NBC telecast. There were also options of viewing the 1st tee and 18th green action. Ear plugs are provided to listen to a commercial free feed of the telecast and if you fail to return it after play, AmEx will donate $350 of your money to the coffers.
The picture is even better in person, and a nice shade cover helps when the sun comes out (Click to enlarge)The only negative was the decision to mute out the announcer chatter between the breaks, otherwise the device worked wonderfully and added tremendously to the fan experience.
On Saturday USGA President Jim Vernon asked me how I liked and I gave it a big thumb's up. Behind us was Dick Ebersol, so I asked the NBC Executive Producer why he didn't have one. He pointed to his audio device that let him listen to the announce feed. I said that's nice, but I like seeing the telecast too and offered him a look at "Championship Vision."
He had never seen one and seemed to know nothing about it. (Why do I think Mark Carlson is going to hear from Dick?) 
The lightweight devise hangs around your neck (Click to Enlarge)
Based on the experience, I would gladly have paid to rent one. So Ebersol might want to look into it, because these little TV's may just become a key part of the golf tournament spectating experience.
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 08:40 AM
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Reader Comments (11)
If ever a sport was made for the multiple POVs this sort of technology provides, it's golf.
But NBC broadcast its audio on an FM radio frequency during the 1999 Ryder cup; you could bring your own radio, or get one at the gate.
Why hasn't the radio technology been available since then? Or has it?
Can you operate it like a Tivo and replay shots?
But it does look cool.
A legit concern which I shared with the USGA brass. Another was my fear that with two earbuds, it makes you lose touch with the silence of a tournament. With one earbud you know what is going on around you and are less prone to cheer or talk too loudly.