Conference 7.286::golf

1200.0. "automatic scorecards." by MACNAS::SPOMPHRETT () Fri Apr 05 1991 10:31

The following article appeared in last Monday's edition of "The Irish
Emigrant", published by Liam Ferrie of GAO.


    
    
    
    
                              AN IRISH FIRST
     
     A new Irish company is about to revolutionise the world of golf, 
     create jobs and probably make millionaires of its shareholders.  
     Micromax Teo. is based on the Plassey Industrial Park in Limerick 
     and has, with the co-operation of the University of Limerick and 
     the National Micro-electronics Centre, developed a microchip and 
     sensor which it hopes will be an integral part of every golf ball 
     made anywhere the world.  The secret of the chip and sensor is 
     that they can withstand the impact of even the most powerful 
     golfer, and each one has a unique identifier.  An integral part 
     of the invention is a special electronic pad, placed at the 
     bottom of the hole on every green on a golf course, and a small 
     computer in the clubhouse.
     
     The idea is that before a golfer starts his round he will insert 
     his credit-card-like membership card into a reader.  His handicap 
     will be noted if he is not on his home course.  He will then drop 
     a number of golf balls (in case he loses any) into a special tube 
     to allow the computer to identify the balls with their owner.  
     From there on the golfer can forget about a score card.  The 
     device within the ball will record what happens.  When the ball 
     drops into the hole the electronic pad will note the number of 
     strokes and pass this to the computer in the clubhouse, through 
     the flag which acts as an aerial.  When the players finish their 
     round they once again insert their membership cards into the 
     reader and out pops a score card showing gross, net, winner of 
     each hole and stableford points.  Handicaps will be adjusted 
     automatically.  If a player incurs a penalty stroke he is 
     expected to tap the ball firmly with a club head to record the 
     stroke.  Lost balls should be almost a thing of the past.  A 
     player will in future carry a small device which, when a button 
     is pressed, will emit a tone.  The volume of the tone will be 
     determined by the proximity to the nearest golf ball fitted with 
     a Micromax device.  If a ball is lost in a lake or other 
     inaccessible place then, as in the case of a penalty stroke, the 
     player taps a new ball the required number of times.
     
     Micromax has been doing its homework very well.  It has patented 
     not just the device but the idea in all the world's major golfing 
     countries.  Negotiations with the R and A are at an advanced 
     stage and their approval now looks certain.  An announcement is 
     expected soon and this will decree that all major tournaments 
     from 1996 onwards will be played on courses using the system.  
     The company recognises that its profits will come from sales of 
     the devices inserted in the golf balls and will supply the 
     ancillary equipment, at cost, to golf courses around the world.  
     The championship course at Lahinch is currently being fitted out 
     and will be used to demonstrate the system from the middle of 
     June.
     
     The IDA has been quick to identify the spin-off opportunities and 
     is targeting all the major golf ball manufacturers.  For those 
     who questioned Dell Computer's recent decision to open a plant in 
     Limerick, doubts are dispelled.  It has been selected as the 
     supplier of the computer required on each golf course.
     
     Japan is seen as the country most likely to be attracted to the 
     idea and initial production will be sent there.  To obtain 
     maximum publicity a major new tournament with prize money of $1m 
     will herald the opening of the first course to be fitted with the 
     equipment.  This will take place on a course outside Tokyo on 
     April the First next year.
     

    Lahinch is too good a course to support a crackpot idea like this, IMO.
    
    --Jack

Re: -.1

>    Lahinch is too good a course to support a crackpot idea like this, IMO.
    
Jack,

I wouldn't take it too seriously.  The base note starts out "last Monday..."
by my calendar that is 1-apr-1991.  It sounds very believable though...

Larry

    What the article didn't say is that, already, a U.S aerospace firm is
    working on a commercial application of stealth technology.  This will
    make the golf clubs undetectable by the golf balls, thereby reducing
    the amount of strokes (counted) required to finish a hole.  Pros such
    as Stadler, Azinger and others are already on retainer to promote this
    product.  The side affect is beneficial also, since the stealth
    technology can jam TV camera broadcasts.
    
    SoCalDandy

    Reply .0
    
    	Hi Sean,
    
    	Excellent! You had me going too...  I was thinking Geee,
    	what if I drop my ball, will it count as a stroke? :)
    
    	If you had entered this middle of june rather than so close
    	to April 1st we could be arguing this one for months!
    
    	Walta

    
    ... and I was thinking what about all those fun loving
    pro's that like to show off(Fuzzy,Chi Chi,Greg or Lee)
    by bouncing the ball several times off their putter blade
    or short irons ??
    
                             Ang
    
                        

    
    is there any significance to the tournament being played
    on the FIRST of APRIL?
    
    hack nicklaus