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GOLFPASS TODAY REVEALS THE BEST GOLF COURSES IN WARM-WEATHER STATES PICKED BY RECREATIONAL GOLFERS

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Newest Edition of Golfers’ Choice Joins Recently Revealed Lists, Including Top 50 in the U.S., and Rankings by Most Improved, Pace of Play, Course Conditions, Staff Friendliness, and More

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2024) – Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring has no impact whatsoever on golfers in the warm-weather states, who will continue to tee it up at the courses they love the best. Those favorite layouts are being revealed today by GolfPass in the next edition of Golfers’ Choice.

The latest Golfers’ Choice lists highlighting the Top-25 courses in Warm Weather States across the U.S., which include Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, have been determined as the best courses played by recreational golfers in 2023. The newest installment will join Golfers’ Choice flagship “Top 50” courses in the U.S. list, which was announced on Jan. 16 and can be found within dedicated pages on GolfPass. The balance of the U.S. states (excluding Alaska) will be announced on March 1.

“Even the golfers who don’t live in these warm-weather states will be very interested in these lists from Arizona, California, Florida, Texas and Hawaii,” said Jason Scott Deegan, managing editor of GolfPass. “These are the states where golfers go to tee it up in the winter months and escape the cold. Golfers looking to chase the sun can use these best-of rankings to inspire their next winter getaway.”

Relied on by golfers for its user-generated golf course reviews and expert travel content, GolfPass creates the Golfers’ Choice lists starting every January to recognize top courses as determined by recreational golfers who shared nearly 300,000 reviews the previous year through NBC Sports Next’s leading online tee-time service, GolfNow. With golf’s popularity at an all-time high, this year’s list continues to shine a spotlight on the game’s best playgrounds for everyday golfers.

Unlike golf course rankings published by industry insiders who have access to golf courses the public may never have the opportunity to play, the Golfers’ Choice lists are totally consumer driven – by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers. Ages, handicaps and budgets of golfers using the website run the gamut, so the millions of reviews accumulated by GolfPass and GolfNow showcase the golf course characteristics that are the most important to avid golfers across the country in any given year.

Golfers’ Choice will reveal 69 lists in total this year. New in 2024, the most celebrated lists are being announced first so the courses honored can take a bow in a spotlight all their own. More than 3,300 courses received the minimum 10 reviews in 2023 to qualify for Top 50 consideration.

The five courses topping each of the Warm Weather state lists are highlighted below. Complete lists can also be found on GolfPass.

Arizona

  1. TPC Scottsdale – Stadium Course (Scottsdale)
  2. Troon North Golf Club (Scottsdale)
  3. Quintero Golf Club (Peoria)
  4. Los Caballeros Golf Club (Wickenburg)
  5. Oakcreek Country Club (Sedona)

 

California

  1. Journey at Pechanga (Temecula)
  2. Quail Lodge & Golf Club (Carmel-By-The-Sea)
  3. Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course (Groveland)
  4. Classic Club (Palm Desert)
  5. Paso Robles Golf Club (Paso Robles)

 

Florida

  1. Tiburon Golf (Naples)
  2. Heritage Landing Golf & Country Club (Punta Gorda)
  3. Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course (Kissimmee)
  4. Forest Glen Golf & Country Club (Naples)
  5. Deer Island Country Club (Tavares)

 

Hawaii

  1. Mauna Kea Golf Course (Island of Hawaii)
  2. Mauna Lani Resort – South Course (Island of Hawaii)
  3. Ocean Course at Hokuala (Kauai)
  4. Ko Olina Golf Club (Oahu)
  5. Hapuna Golf Course – Mauna Kea Resort (Island of Hawaii)

 

Texas

  1. Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch (Denton)
  2. Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club (Fairview)
  3. Diamondback National Golf Club (Abilene)
  4. Palo Duro Creek (Canyon)
  5. White Bluff Golf Club – Old Course (Whitney)

 

GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF:  GolfPass offers a vast instructional library featuring more than 4,500 video titles, including Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, with host Devan Bonebrake; Lessons with a Champion Golfer; and Build a Better Game – all hosted by top instructors like Martin Hall, Chris Como and Michael Bannon, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. GolPass also offers a selection of original video content available exclusively as part of a GolfPass membership, including shows like The Conor Moore Show, On Tour/On Course, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more.D eveloped in partnership between global golf superstar Rory McIlroy and NBC Sports Next – the innovation and technology division of NBC Sports – GolfPass is designed for today’s golfer and is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and comprehensive tee-time benefits designed to help every type of golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. A GolfPass membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.

About NBC Sports Next 

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

-NBC Sports Next-

AS GOLF CONTINUES TO BOOM, NBC SPORTS NEXT UNVEILS ITS FIRST-EVER GOLFER INSIGHTS STUDY AT THE 2024 PGA SHOW, REVEALING OPTIMISTIC GOLFER ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS THAT CAN KEEP PARTICIPATION MOVING FORWARD

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Study Reveals the Motivations and Preferences Keeping Golfers on the Course, as Well as How Technology is Making it Easier to Play More

Over Three-Quarters of Golfers Surveyed Plan to Play at Least 5 Rounds in the Coming Year – Increasing to 78% Among Ages 18-34 and 35-54, and a Whopping 90% Among GolfNow Users

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2024) – NBC Sports Next, the world’s largest provider of golf course technology and services, has taken a deep dive to find out what is driving recreational golf’s popularity and participation in the U.S. to an all-time high. Results from its first-ever golf consumer insights study were unveiled today at the 2024 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., revealing golfer attitudes and behaviors, as well as motivations influencing their participation in the sport now and into the future.

The information presented in The New Era of Golf consumer insights study was collected by surveying more than 4,000 golfers from all corners of the U.S. between Oct. 19-30, 2023. The survey respondents were equally represented among men and women, as well as across age demographics. They were asked to share their golfing habits and preferences – on and off the golf course – over the past year (Oct. 19, 2022, to Oct. 18, 2023). Additionally, the study revealed that nearly 20% of the respondents were also users of GolfNow, NBC Sports Next’s tee-time booking service, which illustrated some interesting comparisons.

Results from the study supports current data from the National Golf Foundation that golf is very much alive and well. According to the NGF, total U.S. golf participation eclipsed 40 million for the first time in 2022, while more than a third of the total U.S. population having played, watched, read about, or engaged with golf content on social media.

Overall, the golfers surveyed said they love playing golf and want to play more in the coming year. More than 35% of the golfers surveyed played at least five rounds of golf over the past year, with the vast majority having played mostly with family and friends. Some additional highlights from the survey include:

At the Golf Course:

    • More than 50% of the golfers surveyed like to play a variety of golf courses
    • Nearly 50% are willing to play in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Three-quarters regularly spent money at the golf course, in addition to the cost of their round, with more than half saying they purchased food and beverages
    • A third said they took a lesson over the past year, increasing to more than two-thirds among GolfNow users
    • Nearly half used a golf simulator at the course, if available, increasing to 68% among GolfNow users
    • More than 50% said that a well-maintained driving range and practice putting green are important

 

Off the Golf Course:

    • 49% of golfers surveyed visited a golf entertainment venue over the past year, increasing to 75% among GolfNow users
    • 79% said they watched instructional videos to help improve their golf game, increasing to 96% among GolfNow users
    • 65% said they like to play golf on vacation and 43% traveled to play golf this past year, with more than half of all golfers saying they traveled to locations in the continental U.S.

 

The study also revealed that golfers are adopting technology like never before, including how they book golf. When asked about their online booking behavior, more than 30% said they booked at least one round of golf online or through an app in the past year, noting the quickness, ease of search, and simple payment processing. They also like the option of pre-payment for tee times, ordering food and beverages in advance, and using GPS, scoring, or gaming features online.

With the largest online tee-time booking platform in the golf industry, NBC Sports Next through its GolfNow and TeeOff brands provide technology and services to more than 11,000 golf courses worldwide. Since pre-pandemic (2019) to the present, GolfNow has seen a 40% increase in rounds booked across its ecosystem, having facilitated more than 25 million rounds booked in 2023, nearly a 4% year-over-year increase – demonstrating that golf’s popularity continues to grow after the boom it experienced during the pandemic. Percentages for unique bookers, new bookers, as well as people returning to the game also increased. Golf courses also are adopting technology in record numbers, with installations of NBC Sports Next golf course management technology setting an all-time high in 2023. Revenue generated for NBC Sports Next partner golf courses exceeded $1.04 billion in 2023, including $450 million from GolfNow, alone.

Demographics of Survey Respondents

Among the 4,000-plus golfers participating in the survey, 67% have been playing golf for more than four years. 50% were male, 49% women and 1% non-binary; 34% were between the ages of 35-54 and 34% 55-plus, with 32% Ages18-24. 49% reported having a household income under $60,000, 29% between $60,000-$99,000, and 22% over $100,000. 38% live in the South, 23% in the Midwest, 20% in the West, and 19% in the Northeast.

The entire New Era of Golf consumer insights study is available to download here at NBC Sports Next.

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass, ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, the industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

 

-NBC Sports Next-

GOLFERS HELP SUPPORT MAUI WILDFIRES RECOVERY EFFORTS THROUGH NBC SPORTS NEXT’S BETTER TOGETHER INITIATIVE THROUGHOUT JANUARY

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As the 2024 PGA TOUR Season Kicks Off in Hawaii, Golfers Across the U.S. Who Book a Tee Time on GolfNow and TeeOff Can “Round Up” to Help Support the Maui Strong Fund

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Throughout January, NBC Sports Next – through its Better Together initiative – will help raise funds to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.

The campaign will include a “Round-Up” initiative on both GolfNow  and TeeOff tee-time booking websites and mobile apps. GolfNow and TeeOff comprise the largest online tee-time marketplace in golf and the industry’s leading providers of golf course operations software and services to more than 11,000 courses worldwide. Anyone booking tee times on GolfNow or TeeOff in January will be provided the opportunity to round up the total cost of the reservation to an even-dollar figure. For example, if the cost of a tee time totals $34.65, the golfer can elect to round up the cost to $35, with the additional $0.35 helping GolfNow and TeeOff support the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation. In the two years since its conception, NBC Sports Next’s round-up campaigns have collectively raised more than $2 million for various charities.

“Our Better Together initiative places a lot of focus on giving back to our communities, whether it’s relief efforts such as this or creating more opportunity and access to the game,” said Jerramy Hainline, SVP, Fandango Ticketing & GolfNow, NBCUniversal. “We’re honored to represent all the golfers who will choose to round up for this great cause when booking on GolfNow and TeeOff in January.”

“We are deeply grateful to NBC Sports Next and every golfer who chooses to support Maui’s recovery from the devastating fires in August,” said Micah Kāne, Chief Executive Officer and President of HCF. “This generous effort is yet another example of the aloha Maui is receiving from around the world.”

The 2024 PGA TOUR season continues this week with the Sony Open in Hawaii from Waialae Country Club on the island of Oahu, with coverage provided by GOLF Channel, NBC and Peacock. The round-up campaign will be promoted across NBC Sports platforms on air, online and via social media. More information about the Maui Strong Fund can be found here.

About NBC Sports Next 

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

About the Hawaii Community Foundation
The vision of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation is to create an equitable and vibrant Hawai‘i in which all our Island communities thrive. With our more-than-105-year history, our trusted expertise, and the generous support of donors, we are working to address the root causes of our state’s most difficult challenges, including expanding access to affordable housing, conserving fresh water resources, and ensuring the healthy development of Hawaiʻi’s young children. HCF works in communities across Hawaiʻi, with offices and staff located statewide. For more information about HCF, please visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org and follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the Maui wildfires. HCF works in close collaboration with federal, state and county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members to get an understanding of the evolving priorities on the ground and deploys grants to address unmet needs. To ensure transparency, all grantees and award amounts from the Maui Strong Fund are updated regularly and can be found here. The Maui Strong Fund is designed for the long haul, using a four-phase approach that includes recovery, stabilization, risk reduction, and resiliency building. Learn more about our four-phase approach here.

-NBC Sports Next-

BOSTON COMMON GOLF AND GOLFNOW STRIKE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP – INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL REALITY DOCUSERIES AND EXCLUSIVE TEAM SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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BOSTON, Mass. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Following Monday’s introduction of the Boston Common Golf team, the new, tech-forward TGL team representing Boston and New England, featuring golf superstars Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott and Tyrell Hatton, NBC Sports Next announced a foundational, multi-year partnership between its GolfNow business and Boston Common Golf, which includes plans to produce a digital reality docuseries to create a national following for the team.

“We’re thrilled about establishing this foundational relationship with Boston Common Golf for GolfNow,” said Will McIntosh, President, NBC Sports Next. “Making big events bigger through innovation is our mission at NBC Sports Next and we’re excited to continue the great partnership we have with Rory to help showcase the stories of Boston Common Golf’s entry into TGL.”

“This partnership with Boston Common is another innovative step in Rory’s relationship with NBC Sports Next and its GolfNow and GolfPass businesses,” said Sean O’Flaherty, Managing Director, Rory McIlroy Inc. “He’s looking forward to joining his teammates and providing fans with an inside-the-ropes look along their TGL journey and doing their best to uphold the great traditions of one of the best sports cities in the world.”

Building on GolfNow’s established relationship with McIlroy, the digital docuseries will be unprecedented in golf entertainment, capturing the real-life development of the Boston Common Golf team from its beginnings through its first competition in TGL’s SoFi Center competition arena and beyond. The Making of a Boston Sports Team (WT) is scheduled to premiere on NBC Sports Next’s GolfPass streaming channel in early 2024, available via online, mobile and connected devices, with other providers, including Peacock, New England Sports Network (NESN), and other free ad-supported television also planned for launch. McIlroy is co-founder of GolfPass, the first digital golf membership of its kind launched in 2019.

“We are excited to partner with GolfNow and collaborate to bring engaging content to fans through our new team,” said Boston Common Golf President & CEO Mark Lev. “A captivating docuseries chronicling the team’s formation will serve as the cornerstone of this foundational partnership and that’s just the beginning. We are grateful to Will McIntosh and the entire team at GolfNow for supporting Boston Common Golf through this important partnership as we get our inaugural season underway this winter.”

As a foundational partner of Boston Common Golf, GolfNow will receive exclusive sponsorship opportunities to promote its brand through the team, as well as offer exclusive VIP opportunities and experiences for the customers and members of its businesses.

 

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next provides operations technology and services to more than 11,000 golf courses around the world, and equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

About Boston Common Golf

Boston Common Golf features Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott, and Tyrrell Hatton representing Boston and New England in TGL’s new, tech-forward golf league that fuses technology and live action with teams of PGA TOUR stars competing across a season of matches beginning in January 2024. The Boston Common Golf team will play in five regular season matches against the other TGL teams, followed by a four-team postseason, with a semi-final and finals series. SoFi Center, a custom-built venue in Palm Beach, Florida, will combine a data-rich virtual course with a state-of-the-art short game complex creating a unique experience for fans in the stands as well as those watching around the world. Boston Common Golf can be followed online at BostonCommonGolf.com, and on social media platforms using the handle @CommonGolf on Instagram, X, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. The team will host content on YouTube using the handle @BostonCommonGolf.

ALL-STAR ATHLETES, INCLUDING OLYMPIAN SHAUN WHITE AND NHL STAR TYLER SEGUIN, TEAM WITH ACCLAIMED GOLF INSTRUCTOR CHRIS COMO FOR ‘GOLF VS., PRESENTED BY OMEGA’ SERIES, STREAMING EXCLUSIVELY ON NBC SPORTS NEXT’S GOLFPASS

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Four-episode series begins streaming on Monday, Nov. 6

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2023)— NBC Sports Next’s newest GolfPass series Golf Vs., Presented by Omega, hosted by Chris Como, is designed to help golfers of all ages understand how their trained abilities in other sports can affect their golf game in different ways. How does a slap shot from an all-star hockey player like Tyler Seguin affect his golf swing? Como will hit the ice to find out. Snowboarding? Olympic gold medalist Shaun White will show him the slopes. Golf Vs. will demonstrate how both differences and similarities can be used to better understand and improve, no matter the skill level of any golfer.

Golf Vs. series will premiere on Monday, Nov. 6 – streaming exclusively via the GolfPass website, app and on connected devices – with an exciting meetup between NHL superstar and Stanley Cup champion Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars. Seguin demonstrates how the movements he has perfected over his hockey career have translated to his golf game – good and bad. Como points out the similarities in shooting a hockey puck versus a golf shot could be the cure Seguin is looking for.

“It’s no secret that there are a lot of hockey players who are really good golfers because the shooting motion is so similar,” Seguin said. “But it was interesting to really break down what those similarities are and find out that the best way to fix my golf swing is to shoot it more like a hockey puck.”

The next episode, dropping Monday, Dec. 4, will see Como hitting the slopes with 3-Time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White to see how falling while snowboarding has ultimately led to a pretty effective golf backswing. White demonstrates how the motions he uses to go flying through the air on a snowboard can be applied to his golf swing, and with Como’s help he makes some serious gains.

“There’s a lot of similarity between learning tricks and developing a shot because whether you’re stepping up to a tee or taking the chairlift up you’re evaluating what might not have worked before and making little changes and trying to perfect what you’re doing,” White said.

With a reputation as a true student of the golf swing, Como has a long history studying with many of the preeminent teachers of the game and his experience affords him the unique skill to translate sophisticated concepts into simple, tangible coaching practices. Notable touring pros on Como’s resume include 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, Masters Champion Trevor Immelman, Jason Day, and Bryson DeChambeau. Como was also ranked #2 on the list of Golf Digest’s “50 Best Teachers in America” for 2022-23.

With four episodes in total, Golf Vs. welcomes viewers to join Como as he works alongside pros in other sports to learn more about their discipline and show how those skills can be transferable to golf.

“So many elite athletes love to play golf but also can find the game to be hugely challenging,” said Kevin Schultz, Senior Director of Lifestyle Content for GolfPass and Executive Producer for Golf Vs. “We wanted to teach these athletes some ways to apply the skills they’ve already obtained to play better golf, while also teaching Chris a little about their sport.”

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​​GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF:  GolfPass features a vast library of original video content available exclusively as part of a GolfPass membership, including original shows like Home Course Advantage, On Tour/On Course, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more. GolfPass also offers a vast instructional library featuring more than 4,500 video titles, including Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, with host Devan Bonebrake; Lessons with a Champion Golfer; and Build a Better Game – all hosted by top instructors like Martin Hall, Chris Como and Michael Bannon, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. Developed in partnership between global golf superstar Rory McIlroy and NBC Sports Next – the innovation and technology division of NBC Sports – a GolfPass+ membership is designed for today’s golfer and is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and benefits, including monthly tee-time credits, waived convenience fees, tee-time cancellation protection, credit toward equipment purchases, and more. GolfPass is designed to help every type of golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. A GolfPass+ membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass+ membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.

 

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next provides operations technology and services to more than 11,000 golf courses around the world, and equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

NBC SPORTS NEXT BECOMES OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNER OF BORUSSIA DORTMUND-AFFILIATED BVB INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY AMERICA

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New Partnership will Further Leverage SportsEngine’s Technology Platform to Improve Team Management, Communications, Payment Systems and Web Presence as Academy Continues Rapid Growth in U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 25, 2023) – NBC Sports Next, the sports technology and innovation division of NBC Sports, today announced an exclusive technology partnership with BVB International Academy America, an affiliate of the German professional soccer club, Borussia Dortmund BVB, and one of the fastest-growing youth soccer academies in the U.S.

The multi-year agreement officially makes SportsEngine, NBC Sports Next’s leading team and club management technology platform, the exclusive provider of online member management, registration, payments, and digital content for BVB International Academy, which operates 17 academies across the U.S. for young soccer athletes up to 19 years of age. The partnership will boost and scale the digital presence of BVB International Academy, which provides its athletes with exposure to elite coaching methodologies and curriculums used by one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in Europe, as well as a world-class training environment, A-list competition, and outstanding player development.

United States men’s national soccer team captain Christian Pulisic and teammate Giovanni Reyna both have ties to Borussia Dortmund. Pulisic first played on Dortmund’s development squads in 2015 before quickly being promoted to the first team at the age of 17, while Reyna currently plays midfield for the club’s first team.

“We’re excited to start our new partnership with BVB International Academy and one of the biggest brands in worldwide soccer to help promote and grow the sport in the U.S.,” said Brett MacKinnon, SVP & General Manager, Youth & Recreational Sports, NBC Sports Next. “We share their commitment to serving an amazing community of youth soccer athletes and their families in the United States at the grassroots and elite national level.”

“We have partnered with SportsEngine for several years and it is one of those relationships that continues to build and get stronger all the time,” said Peter A. Brody, President and CEO, BVB International Academy North America. “As an organization, they are unafraid to learn from the past, as well as listen and innovate for what our club needs to be successful today. What really sets the people at SportsEngine apart from many other platform providers is their ability to focus on how they can add the greatest value and support for the future.”

The new NBC Sports Next partnership with BVB International Academy America denotes another important commitment that NBCUniversal has made to the sport of soccer. In March, SportsEngine and US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization in the U.S., announced their extended partnership, which was highlighted by SportsEngine’s development of an online and mobile content network for USYS. Other efforts include making the Premier League more accessible in the U.S. through its airing on USA Network and Peacock; Telemundo’s extensive coverage of the World Cup; NBC Sports’ continued support of the Olympic and Paralympic movement, and more.

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

NBC SPORTS NEXT BREAKS GROUND WITH SPORTSENGINE PLAY, A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STREAMING SERVICE FOR YOUTH & AMATEUR SPORTS

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SportsEngine Play Provides Organizations, Leagues, Teams, Families and Athletes the Ability to Capture and Stream Video of Sporting Events on any Device, So Their Most Important Moments are Never Missed

In Addition to Offering Live and On-Demand Streaming, SportsEngine Play Features Editing Tools for Highlight Creation, Hundreds of Hours of Player Development Content, Access to Elite Amateur Competition — Plus Instructional Videos from World-Class Athletes Michael Phelps, Larry Fitzgerald, Shaun White, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and more.

“It’s a powerful thing to create opportunities to learn, grow and inspire within a deserving community, such as youth sports … and I’m happy my content has found such a great home.” – Kerri Walsh Jennings

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 17, 2023) – NBC Sports Next  announced today the launch of SportsEngine Play, a first-of-its-kind subscription streaming service for capturing and viewing live and on-demand video of youth and amateur sporting events, and so much more. Created on the foundation built by NBC Sports, which connects fans around the world to the moments in sports that matter most, SportsEngine Play will enable organizations, leagues, coaches and parents to unite teams, families and young athletes around the sports they love like never before.

Not only does SportsEngine Play deliver live and on-demand streaming of youth and amateur sporting events anytime, anywhere and on a variety of devices, the service offers video editing tools, so teams can capture magical game moments and athletes can create their own highlight reels. SportsEngine Play is also building the industry’s most comprehensive collection of player development and training content, including exclusive instructional videos from more than a dozen world-class athletes, including Michael Phelps, Larry Fitzgerald, Shaun White, Maria Sharapova, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Justin Jefferson, and more. In addition, the service will continue to build its selection of elite amateur sports competitions, such as the NXTPRO Sports’ PRO16 Basketball Circuit, with more content being added to the platform every day.

The collection of combined offerings on SportsEngine Play is unprecedented and designed to cater to the rapidly growing number of athletes and their families, as well as the people working and volunteering in youth sports. The National Council for Youth Sports claims more than 60 million participants are registered in organized youth sports programs in the U.S., and a recent study from the Aspen Institute reveals a post-pandemic rebound in participation of more than 20 percent from 2021 to 2022.

“We’re thrilled to introduce SportsEngine Play to the more than 30,000 youth sports organizations and the millions of players and families we serve through our NBC Sports Next technology platforms and applications,” said Brett MacKinnon, senior vice president and general manager, Youth and Recreational Sports, NBC Sports Next. “Given our sports and media DNA, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver this product to the sports community – a preeminent streaming platform for all youth and amateur sports, with personalized video content, the best instructional and player development videos, and much more to come as we continue to grow.”

Part of NBC Sports Next’s roadmap includes plans to launch a SportsEngine Play connected TV streaming app in 2024, providing athletes and their families with an additional way to view content at home.

 

HOW IT WORKS

Video streaming through SportsEngine Play can originate from a variety of camera sources, ranging from a personal phone with video capabilities to autonomous cameras professionally installed at sporting venues. To date, more than 90 cameras have been installed at more than 85 sporting venues – numbers that will continue to grow as more organizations join the platform. Hundreds of hours of live and on-demand streaming content (are being or have been) captured on SportsEngine Play already, representing major participation sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse, but also additional sports like cheer, dance, figure skating, gymnastics, and martial arts. SportsEngine Play customers range from National Governing Bodies of sport to major club programs to individual teams.

NBC Sports Next is also building client branded SportsEngine Play platforms for its partner organizations. For its recently established relationship with Frisco Independent School District, one of the largest districts in Texas, NBC Sports Next launched a Frisco Sports Live web portal powered by SportsEngine Play, which will stream approximately 4,000 sporting events for the district’s 12 high schools and 18 middle schools during the school year.

“Frisco ISD is excited that the achievements of its students will be showcased on NBC Sports Next’s SportsEngine Play,” Frisco ISD Athletic Director Jerry Littlejohn said. “The quality of the video is outstanding and it adds to the experience of participants, families and fans throughout the district and beyond.”

 

SUBSCRIPTION TIERS

For a limited time, SportsEngine Play is offering its subscription plans – Free, Premier and All Access – with introductory discount pricing:

    • Free plan enables users to capture and view live-streamed content.
    • Premier plan includes live streaming and on-demand viewing of game replays, plus access to editing tools to create highlight videos. $9.99 monthly/$79.99 annual (20% discount)
    • All Access plan includes all live and on-demand streaming, editing tools, plus access to hundreds of hours of expertly produced sports content, including player development videos, instructional content from world-class athletes and organizations, access to premier amateur sports competitions, and more. $9.99 monthly/$79.99 annual (60% discount)

 

FEATURED IN THE ALL ACCESS PLAN

In addition to live and on-demand event streaming, SportsEngine Play’s All Access subscription offers a growing library of video content that provides young athletes and their families with everything they need to know about their sports of choice, from rules and equipment to training and skills to mental health, fitness and more. The plan features exclusive instructional videos from world-class athletes like Michael Phelps, Larry Fitzgerald, Shaun White, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and others, who offer video collections featuring tips and techniques highlighting their training regimens, as well insight on leadership and mental health.

“It’s a powerful thing to create opportunities to learn, grow and inspire within a deserving community, such as youth sports,” Walsh Jennings said. “I’m proud of the work my fellow champions and I have created with The Pros and so happy our content has found such a great home. My goal is to forever inspire and empower as many people as I can, and this partnership will allow for great and positive impact.”

Other premier video content on SportsEngine Play will be offered from National Governing Bodies of sport like USA Hockey, major clubs like Diamond Allegiance baseball, and leading industry voices like the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s TrueSport program. SportsEngine Play is constantly adding new content to the platform, even acquiring streaming rights to elite amateur sports competition that will entertain and inspire young athletes.

For more information and to check out an informational, how-to video, go to SportsEnginePlay.com.

Access to SportsEngine Play images via Google Drive HERE.

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

SPORTSENGINE BECOMES AN OFFICIAL VIDEO AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION PARTNER OF USA HOCKEY

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NBC Sports Next and USA Hockey Extend Long-Term Partnership, Using SportsEngine Technology to Better Connect with Athletes at Every Level

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 4, 2023) – NBC Sports Next and USA Hockey, the foundational organization supporting the sport of ice hockey in the United States, today announced a new, multi-year extension of their long-term partnership. A key element of the new agreement names NBC Sports Next’s industry leading youth technology brand, SportsEngine, as an official video and content partner of USA Hockey.

SportsEngine’s digital and streaming platforms will have sole rights to feature existing and future USA Hockey video content produced for athletes and coaches, and to all content produced for USA Hockey’s cutting-edge American Development Model (ADM), which focuses content on age-appropriate athlete development through a more holistic approach.

Video content from USA Hockey aligns perfectly with the SportsEngine audience. Its Coaching Education Program provides valuable drills and strategies with an emphasis on player relationships and growth; while the organization’s Players & Parents section shares helpful advice for families to make the most of the game, including video guides on equipment and rules, as well as training and playing tips. ADM video content helps coaches and parents focus on the well-being of the player, offering skills and healthy strategies for keeping young athletes engaged and enjoying the sport of ice hockey.

Brett MacKinnon, SVP & General Manager, Youth & Recreational Sports, NBC Sports Next, expressed pride in the long-term partnership with USA Hockey, saying, “We’re grateful for the confidence USA Hockey has demonstrated in SportsEngine through this new agreement, which will utilize our cutting-edge technology to better engage their membership while attracting more and more people to the sport of ice hockey through video and streaming.”

“We’re excited to continue our relationship with NBC Sports Next,” said Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “We share a similar vision in terms of not only providing a great experience for those currently involved in the sport but also engaging in efforts to showcase the game in different ways to reach new audiences.”

The partnership extension builds on SportsEngine’s decade-long relationship with USA Hockey, where it has leveraged its leading sports management technology to support the organization’s growth, brand enhancement, and risk-management. SportsEngine technology assists USA Hockey with its league, club, coach and athlete membership data management, and also provides robust reporting, powerful financial tools, enhanced communication, rostering and more to USA Hockey and its local associations. USA Hockey also utilizes SportsEngine to manage its safety programs, including background checks through the National Center for Safety Initiatives and safety training.

NBC Sports Next’s SportsEngine serves more than 30,000 small and medium-sized youth sports organizations, tournaments, the USOPC and Governing Body community, professional sports leagues and thousands of municipalities with its cutting-edge suite of technology solutions to dramatically reduce the time they spend on administration and communication, allowing them to focus more time on developing their athletes.

 

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

About USA Hockey

USA Hockey, established on October 29, 1937, and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, sometimes Olympic or Paralympic heroes; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. USA Hockey is more than a million strong, including players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states. The National Governing Body for the sport in the United States, USA Hockey has important partnerships with the NHL, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usahockey.com.

RORY McILROY PROVIDES PERSONALIZED GAME-IMPROVEMENT ADVICE TO EVERYDAY GOLFERS ON SEASON FOUR OF ‘ASK RORY, PRESENTED BY BMW’, STREAMING TODAY EXCLUSIVELY ON GOLFPASS

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Amateurs Get Free Advice Through Video Instruction from One of the Best Players in the World

Special Episodes Feature NBC’s 3rd Hour of TODAY Co-Hosts and Avid Golfers Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer

Watch a Preview of Ask Rory HERE

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2023) – Global golf superstar Rory McIlroy returns today for season four of Ask Rory, presented by BMW, the popular NBC Sports Next GolfPass series that gives amateur golfers the rare opportunity to ask for game-improvement advice from one of the best golfers in the world. Ask Rory, chock full of tips and strategies from the four-time major champion and one of the sport’s most-recognized players, can be streamed via the GolfPass website, app and on connected devices.

Golfers of all kinds were invited to send in their questions on video for a chance to have McIlroy take on their challenge by breaking down a customized solution. In each of nine episodes, he offers insights, strategies and tips from tee to green, helping members improve their skills and course management.

“It’s rare that you get to have a professional golfer give you personalized instruction,” said Kevin Schultz, Senior Director of Lifestyle Content for GolfPass. “Rory was so great to work with and had a lot of fun shooting this season, and it showed. He doesn’t just throw out generic advice but really thinks through the best way to help each golfer by using his own experience and expertise.”

A special episode 3 features avid golfer Craig Melvin, news anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and co-host of the 3rd hour of TODAY, who asks McIlroy for advice on how to overcome a persistent problem with his game. Fellow 3rd Hour of TODAY co-host and NBC News meteorologist Dylan Dreyer also gets a tip from McIlroy during the series-concluding XM Power Round, presented by BMW episode, where McIlroy answers a series of questions from GolfPass members and celebrities, alike.

Hosted by Chris Como, noted golf instructor to the pros and a member of the GolfPass instruction staff, Ask Rory was produced on location at The Club at Admiral’s Cove in south Florida.

GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF:  GolfPass features a vast library of original video content available exclusively as part of a GolfPass membership, including original shows like Home Course Advantage, On Tour/On Course, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more. GolfPass also offers a vast instructional library featuring more than 4,500 video titles, including Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, with host Devan Bonebrake; Lessons with a Champion Golfer; and Build a Better Game – all hosted by top instructors like Martin Hall, Chris Como and Michael Bannon, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. Developed in partnership between global golf superstar Rory McIlroy and NBC Sports Next – the innovation and technology division of NBC Sports – a GolfPass+ membership is designed for today’s golfer and is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and benefits, including monthly tee-time credits, waived convenience fees, tee-time cancellation protection, credit toward equipment purchases, and more. GolfPass is designed to help every type of golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. A GolfPass+ membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass+ membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next provides operations technology and services to more than 11,000 golf courses around the world, and equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.

–NBC SPORTS NEXT–

‘HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE’ SEASON FINALE FEATURES LIFE-CHANGING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR LAUDERHILL, FLA., JUNIOR GOLFER AND MENTOR

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GolfPass Series Chronicles Ongoing Struggles of Talented Junior Golfers From Underserved Communities Trying to Reach Their Full Potential and Realize Their Dreams

Season Finale of Home Course Advantage is Free to View

Preview Episode HERE

 ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 1, 2023) – Young teen Patrick Pinkney and his mentor, Paula Pearson-Tucker, founder of the Fore Life Inc. community service program at the Lauderhill Golf Course in south Florida, will see their golfing lives change in the season finale of Home Course Advantage, streaming free today exclusively on GolfPass.

One of the most promising young golfers in the state of Florida, Pinkney has played at Lauderhill Golf Course and been cared for by the Fore Life program since the age of 4. As one of the underserved communities in the Miami metropolitan area, Lauderhill often is referred to as “Slaughterhill” because of its crime and gun violence.

“Patrick has that ‘it,’ said Tucker. “And you have everyone around him that sees that, and our job is to keep him on the straight and narrow.”

Initiatives that create fair access to golf for young people are changing the landscape of the sport. However, the fairways can be much narrower for high-potential youngsters of limited financial means who dream of a college or professional playing career. Home Course Advantage showcases talented junior golfers, like Pinkney, and their families who must make ends meet before trying to meet their goals in golf, share their stories of resilience.

In the season finale, viewers will learn the stories of Pinkney and Pearson-Tucker. And, with the help of GolfNow and sponsors TaylorMade Golf, Under Armour and its Curry Brand, and Youth on Course, the two will be surprised on the show with gifts designed to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Home Course Advantage is hosted by Will Lowery, golf personality and co-host of Beyond the Fairway, a popular NBC Sports podcast that goes beyond scores and highlights to explore golf culture from a different clubhouse.

GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF:  GolfPass features a vast library of original video content available exclusively as part of a GolfPass membership, including original shows like Home Course Advantage, On Tour/On Course, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more. GolfPass also offers a vast instructional library featuring more than 4,500 video titles, including Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, with host Devan Bonebrake; Lessons with a Champion Golfer; and Build a Better Game – all hosted by top instructors like Martin Hall, Chris Como and Michael Bannon, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. Developed in partnership between global golf superstar Rory McIlroy and NBC Sports Next – the innovation and technology division of NBC Sports – a GolfPass+ membership is designed for today’s golfer and is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and benefits, including monthly tee-time credits, waived convenience fees, tee-time cancellation protection, credit toward equipment purchases, and more. GolfPass is designed to help every type of golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. A GolfPass+ membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass+ membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.

About NBC Sports Next

NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next provides operations technology and services to more than 11,000 golf courses around the world, and equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; SportsEngine, an industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.