Social media meets competitive golf in Orlando, Florida. LPGA star and US Solhiem Cup team member Christina Kim took on Egolf Tour golfer John Raser in a match where the loser would loop for the winner out on tour this year.
What started as a challenge by John Raser to Christina two weeks ago at the PGA Merchandise show quickly took on a life of its own. They broadcast the event live via U-Stream and twitter updates throughout the round from their I-Phones. It was a relaxed, up close look at two new friends trying to beat each other in front of their virtual followers.
I tuned in to check it out and soon became enthralled and couldn’t walk away. They had poll questions for viewers to vote on during the round and interacted constantly with their followers. From the following it received I would not be surprised to see a rematch broadcast live over the internet.
John Raser, who is an accomplished player in his own right, played for both TCU and The University of Alabama, took an early 4 up lead. By the time they finished the front side Christina Kim drew upon her Solhiem Cup experience and squared the match. The golf was great but the interaction with fans was truly a refreshing thing to be a part of.
All square coming into 18, they both banged drives into the sugar and decided to poll the followers to see if they should re-tee. With an overwhelming response they teed it up again and by the time the last putt fell the upstart John Raser claimed victory in the inaugural Twitter Open.
What a boost, for the up and coming mini tour player, John Raser. John will be chronicling his chase for a PGA Tour card this year on his website and blog www.gospeedraser.com. The fact that he is a 26 year old player with many accolades is testament to how hard it is to make the PGA Tour. The life of a mini tour player on the Egolf Tour is not Ritz Carlton’s and courtesy cars but long drives in the car from tournament to tournament and hopping over to a Monday qualifier for a chance to get into a Nationwide or PGA Tour event.
To the spoils go the victor, they say and John will have a seasoned veteran of the LPGA on his bag for one tournament this year out on the Egolf Tour. How refreshing it will be for Christina Kim to see how the other half lives with a spattering of fans in the gallery and IHOP for breakfast when they depart the Motel 6.
I hope a trend has started for true champions of the game to share their passion with others who are trying to make their way up the rungs of the Professional golf ladder.
You can also follow John’s 2010 season here at www.weretalkinggolf.com as we follow his story and listen to his interview this past Saturday on the Were Making The Turn Show on our home page.
