The Galgorm Resort & Spa NI Open, presented by Modest! Golf will break new ground with live streaming for today’s third round and will also capture the conclusion of play in Sunday’s final round at Galgorm Castle.
Live streaming is a new initiative made possible by sponsors Cookstown, who have collaborated with performanceActive to create a dedicated studio overlooking the 18th green and grandstand. Multiple cameras will be in operation and the crew, headed up by Harry Cook, will obtain footage from the final holes and broadcast live onto the tournament website niopen.golf and the Galgorm Castle Facebook page.
The live stream will be available for two hours each day from 3-5pm through the NI Open tournament app, which was developed by the event’s Technology Partner performanceActive.
“Cookstown is proud to sponsor the prestigious NI Open at Galgorm Castle,” said Alastair McQuillan, Cookstown Commercial Director. “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading brands it is a perfect fit for us to be involved in one of Northern Ireland’s biggest golfing events.
“We pride ourselves on supporting local farmers and producing locally sourced product in Tyrone, therefore supporting a high-profile local event such as the Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle is a huge honour for us here at Cookstown.’
A dedicated studio had been built adjacent to the 18th to provide optimum viewing as the action concludes both days. Former European Tour player Gareth Maybin will take a stint behind the mic, while other material will be interspersed through each of the two-hour broadcasts.
Maybin is well placed to provide insight for he is a former tour player and these days his teaching academy is based at Galgorm Castle. Several of the players he coaches are featuring well this week, including local Dermot McElroy and Clandeboye’s Johnny Caldwell, who was tied ninth at the halfway stage.
“We have been Technology Partners to the NI Open since the start and every year we try to introduce something new,” explains Fergus Wallace from performanceActive. “Live streaming is another new addition that will hopefully generate further engagement.
“We have already seen a strong uplift from new features within the NI Open app, such as the new scratchcard for the chance to win daily prizes and the Roving Reporters who update in real time from around the course.”
For Cookstown, you could say there are other lasting links to the NI Open and Galgorm.
“Cookstown is Northern Ireland’s best loved sausage and bacon brand. The ‘Cookstown Sizzle’ has been the brand’s strapline for many years and has featured some of Northern Irelands best loved sports stars in various advertising campaigns such as George Best and Pat Jennings,” added McQuillan.
Almost a decade ago, the NI Open started out as the George Best Golf Invitational before evolving to become the most popular event on the European Challenge Tour. Every year Jennings continues to support the NI Open as one of the Tournament Ambassadors.
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