Australian Open Radio has been hailed a huge success, with plans already being hatched to enhance the service at next year’s Emirates Australian Open.
The radio specific broadcast, a first at an Australian tournament, won rave reviews from not only those listening through earpieces around The Australian Golf Club, but also from afar tuning in via the official app or the Ausopengolf.com website stream.
@ausopenradio14 @AusOpenGolf what a great job from the #aoradio team! Looking forward to listening again in 2015
— Jos A. Pacheco (@japach) November 30, 2014
The commentary team of Mark Allen, Andrew Maher, Mark Hayes, Mike Clayton, John Huggan, Martin Blake and Matt Cutler brought listeners all of the magic as it unfolded throughout the event.
Golf Australia head of media and digital John Sutherland said AO Radio had made it far easier for fans to follow action from all over the Open precinct, not just via traditional scoreboards.
“We were thrilled to the reaction of golf fans to the concept and received lots of feedback on how it helped the live fan experience,” Sutherland said.
“Our earpieces were snapped up by the crowd quickly each day and to look at the galleries on a hole and see them all tuning in added terrific colour to the event.
“Our team took listeners to the various places on course they wanted to be, but couldn't physically get there – and the insights and depth of knowledge of Mike Clayton and John Huggan back in the studio was something golf tragics could listen to all day.
“We already have ideas to grow AO Radio in 2015.”
@mattcutlergolf @ausopenradio14 the AUS radio is a must for future events in AUS, great job all involved
— Keperra Golf (@KeperraGolf) November 30, 2014