After its success putting Wimbledon online, the Purple team assisted IBM
in building the first-ever championship golf websites: for the PGA
Championship and subsequently for the Ryder Cup, both in the USA. With
golf events particularly, websites are highly valued by serious fans who
are unable to watch TV during business hours. A lot of web functions
developed for tennis coverage were easily adapted to golf: detailed
biographies of the players, multiple live-results reporting, and
remotely-uploaded photography. An added feature for golf was an online
video 'flyover' of the tournament fairways and greens, an effect still
popular today on golfing websites.
The following year, Purple helped IBM to create
the web debut of The Masters, American's premiere golf tournament, held
each year at Augusta, Georgia. The Masters site was subject to very
exacting requirements, with the management remaining in strict control
of the message. Purple worked hand-in-hand with IBM on all three of
these golf sites, from conception to implementation, which in each case
was achieved in a matter of weeks, not months. Despite the tight
schedules, the Purple team never missed a deadline -- obviously
essential for sports events.
|
