Tune in and, whatever you do, don’t drop out!
Australian Open Radio will crank up for the second year at The Australian Golf Club in November.
But you don’t have to be at the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney to keep up to date with the latest from the 100th edition of our national championship.
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.
Last year’s commentary team – Mark Allen, Andrew Maher, Mike Clayton, John Huggan, Mark Hayes, Martin Blake and Matt Cutler – will reunite to bring listeners all the magic as it unfolds throughout the event, with broadcasts from 11am-4pm on Thursday and Friday, then from noon until at least 5pm across the weekend.
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.”
One of the highlights of last year’s broadcast was the unprecedented access given to fans by key officials and players as they finished their rounds.
“We had a ball with all the guys who stepped into the AO Radio caravan and it showed with how people reacted to them, too,” Sutherland said.
“Add the crew on course, then the insights and depth of knowledge of Mike Clayton and John Huggan in the van and it is really something golf tragics could listen to all day.”
Where to get them:
Radios will be available in the Crestlink official merchandise marquees on course located in the tournament village.
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.