PGA TOUR Brings TOURCast to Japan with AWS Cloud Infrastructure

In an effort to capture and disseminate better statistical data and bring fans closer to the game, the PGA TOUR debuted TOURCast in Japan at the 2024 ZOZO Championship. This is a result of its new innovative version of their scoring system, ShotLink powered by CDW. This marks the first time the PGA TOUR has been able to bring this technology to Asia, leveraging the flexibility and scalability of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to overcome unique challenges to help bring this to life.

Ken Lovell, Senior Vice President of Golf Technology at the PGA TOUR, who spearheads tournament scoring, explains the significance of the move: “We’ve completely rebuilt our scoring system over the past two years on a new AWS software stack. This has allowed us to be incredibly versatile and nimble in how we set up our on-course technology allowing us to bring TOURCast to this tournament for the first time. ”

At the heart of this technological evolution is a cloud-based infrastructure that doesn’t discriminate between input sources. Whether data comes from high-tech radar systems, cameras, or manual input, the system processes it all seamlessly. This flexibility was crucial for the ZOZO Championship, where the PGA TOUR faces unique constraints.

PGA TOUR volunteer setting up GPS equipment on the fairway at ZOZO championship that will input specific shot data and feed back to Shotlink Select Plus. [IMAGE: PGA TOUR]

“In Japan, instead of relying on players to wear tracking devices, we stationed personnel with specialized GPS equipment on each fairway to manually input shot details,” Lovell reveals. “And because we’re leveraging AWS technologies throughout our technology stack, we were able to take this from idea to production in only four months.”

Example of tri-pod with range finder and antenna to be set-up by each green as part of Shotlink Select Plus. [IMAGE: PGA TOUR]

This flexibility is a direct result of the PGA TOUR’s partnership with AWS. By leveraging its cloud technologies, the PGA TOUR has created a system that can scale up or down based on the specific needs of each tournament. Lovell notes, “When we chose AWS, it was largely because we understood that our business is unique. We wanted to build in ultimate modularity and flexibility.”

The benefits of this cloud-based approach extend beyond flexibility. The PGA TOUR can now manage the entire operation remotely, with only a small team on-site in Japan. “We were able to manage the system for this tournament from our headquarters in Florida,” Lovell explains. “It’s all cloud-based, so location doesn’t matter. We’ve built in store-and-forward capabilities at both the device and software levels to handle potential connectivity issues.”

However, this global expansion doesn’t come without challenges. Latency is a key concern, as data now has to travel much further for processing. “We’re testing the limits of how fast that data moves,” Lovell admits. The team is exploring options like AWS Direct Connect, a cloud service that links your network directly to AWS to deliver consistent, low-latency performance. They are also looking at potentially setting up endpoints in the Asia-Pacific region.

The PGA TOUR is taking a measured approach to this rollout. While TOURCast was live during the tournament, the team plans to validate more detailed results following the event before making them public. This expansion represents more than just a technological achievement for the PGA TOUR. It’s a strategic move that could pave the way for broader international coverage.

As golf continues to grow globally, the PGA TOUR’s investment in flexible, cloud-based technologies positions it to meet the demands of an increasingly international audience. By leveraging AWS to expand TOURCast, the PGA TOUR is not just scoring golf rounds—it’s scoring a major victory for sports technology on the global stage.

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