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AO Radio, Golf Australia's exclusive, live radio broadcast of the 100th Emirates Australian Open at The Australian this week, is to be simulcast on Melbourne's sports radio station, SEN on Sunday's final day.
SEN, with its mass sports audience, is the first radio station to broadcast the coverage, which debuted at last year's Open to strong positive reviews. The station plans on dropping in and out of AO Radio's coverage and will add a strong audience to the broadcast, which includes online streaming at www.sen.com.au.
The broadcast is available both on-course through earpieces, and streamed via the tournament website www.ausopengolf.com and also the official app.
Commentators include golf professional, architect and writer Mike Clayton, Scottish journalist John Huggan, professional and broadcaster Mark Allen along with on-course reporting from Golf Australia's media manager Mark Hayes, senior writer Martin Blake, television and radio broadcater Andrew Maher and Golf Australia's high performance manager Matt Cutler. It includes live commentary from on course as well as interviews with players, as well as general chat about the game.
Tens of thousands of golf fans streamed the daily broadcast online via the tournament website and its official app last year as the switch was flicked on AO Radio for the first time.
And 5000 earpieces were hot properties around the course as golf fans sought the latest live information while watching their favourite player on another hole.
Golf Australia digital director John Sutherland said powering up AO Radio again was an easy call after glowing comparisons to some of the major championships that offer the service.
“We got some really positive feedback last year about how the radio added to the fan experience on and off course, so it’s something we immediately began factoring into planning for 2015,” Sutherland said.
“We think the Emirates Australian Open deserves world-class digital coverage and this is a key plank in making sure as many people as possible can share the excitement.
“Fans on course can bring their radio from last year, which will work again, or grab a new one. If they can’t make it to The Australian, we’ll again steam the broadcast through www.ausopengolf.com and our tournament app, which is available for iPhone and Android users.”
Where to get them:
Radios will be available for sale ($2) in the Crestlink official merchandise marquees on course.
• The main marquee will be located in the tournament village
• A smaller marquee will be located at the clubhouse entrance
Crestlink official merchandise marquees will be open from Thursday and Friday 7am until close of play and Saturday and Sunday from 9am until close of play.
NOTE: Radios from 2014 will work again so please bring yours along if you still have it.