Augusta National, Protracer and the Blimp

[John Connolly]

I've researched threads so please don't scold  .

Protracer is a great piece of technology that ANGC seems to want no part of. What gives? Too much conflict with the "no technology allowed" mantra? It's a shame - can you imagine how cool the T ball on 13 would look?

Also, why no blimp coverage? They don't need the cash I suppose. And maybe they don't like the "nakedness" of the views? Maybe it's the inability to control the views? Maybe all of the above.

[Jason Topp]

I saw a pro-tracer of Bubba's tee ball,.  Was it added later?

[Patrick_Mucci]

John,

Unless you're one of the three sponsors, a blimp with your name on it isn't going to hover above ANGC during the tournament.

[Matt Bielawa]

Pat's point carries over to the ProTracer too....though I agree that it would be sort of cool.

[David Kelly]

Also, why no blimp coverage? They don't need the cash I suppose. And maybe they don't like the "nakedness" of the views? Maybe it's the inability to control the views? Maybe all of the above.

I'm sure they're not keen on letting the viewers at home get a clear picture of the ambiance surrounding the AGNC property.

[Dwight Phelps]

Also, why no blimp coverage? They don't need the cash I suppose. And maybe they don't like the "nakedness" of the views? Maybe it's the inability to control the views? Maybe all of the above.

I'm sure they're not keen on letting the viewers at home get a clear picture of the ambiance surrounding the AGNC property.

This. I, for one, was SHOCKED when I finally looked at ANGC on Google Earth and realized that Augusta CC is yards away from amen corner and appears to include a par 5 with Rae's creek passing in front of the green.  Don't think the club would want that on the broadcast for exclusivity of nothing else.

[Jason Thurman]

One of the coolest things about Augusta is the way that the slopes of the property and trees around the playing corridors present a backdrop for watching the ball fly. While ProTracer would be cool, it's also less necessary at Augusta than any other course I can think of. The ball's flight is easier to see there than it is anywhere else on television.

Though admittedly, I would've loved to have seen Watson's drive on 8 or 13 traced.

[John Connolly]

As for Metlife sponshorship, I think if ANCG wanted blimp coverage, which they do not seem to desire, they'd probably make a deal, no? My guess is the sponshorship discussion never takes off because they don't want the shots. The couse's mystique, at least in the membership's mind, is lost when there's a waffle house seen around the corner, or something to that effect. Rae's creek not being ANCG's alone is a great illustration. Disneyworld keeps the service trucks underground.

[John Connolly]

Shot tracer is being used on the 13th tee on the live stream. Think we can expect it on the TV coverage? Was this the first year it's been on shown on the live stream?

[John McCarthy]

I do not recall seeing it before.  It is done very well in my opinion.  Also, they are calling it TrackMan, which should make the TrackMan people happy.

[Keith Grande]

They finally acquiesced...

[Will Spivey]

I've been watching all morning on Apple TV (via the Masters App -- it's great!) and they've been using Pro Tracer on 13 all day.