With the 124th U.S. Open about to start at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this week, it’s arduous to not get nostalgic in regards to the recreation because it returns to probably the most iconic venues within the nation. And whereas golf is a recreation steeped in historical past and custom, it’s superb to mirror on the impression that our expertise has had in advancing the game by way of Cisco’s partnership with the USA Golf Affiliation (USGA).
Now in our sixth season as an Official Companion of the USGA, Cisco’s presence in and across the U.S. Girls’s Open and U.S. Open continues to function a shining instance of what expertise can convey to the sport. From debuting the first-ever “Related Course” on the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks, to seamlessly and securely deploying digital connectivity options in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic with Webex by Cisco, to powering using 4D expertise as a part of the published expertise of USGA Championships, we’ve been laser-focused on producing significant outcomes for the USGA that finally profit all of us who watch and benefit from the recreation.
However don’t take my phrase for it – hear from the USGA on how Cisco helps them keep linked and guarded throughout their Championships and to help their enterprise one year a yr:
As we stay up for what the longer term holds for our partnership and for the game, it’s inconceivable to disregard the impression that AI may have. Already we’re seeing that come to life this yr with our deployment of Wi-Fi 6 on the US Open. Our Meraki entry factors make the most of AI-powered expertise that minimizes radio interference and maximizes efficiency routinely, to assist guarantee followers, companions and occasion organizers have dependable, high-performance connectivity. Whereas that is just the start, we count on to see exponential transformation within the coming years throughout all industries with the evolution of an AI-driven world, and that’s why simply final week at Cisco Stay, we launched AI-powered capabilities throughout all the Cisco portfolio and a $1B AI fund to advance business innovation and buyer readiness.
Along with our wi-fi community deployment at Pinehurst, Cisco will assist followers following from far and huge interact with the motion due to the USGA App which can embody fan-favorite options like ShotCast Powered by Cisco. We may also join thousands and thousands to the motion by way of Cisco’s position in serving to to ship the published, due to our persevering with partnership with NBC.
I’m additionally proud to say that Cisco has supported the opening of the brand-new Golf Home Pinehurst – a USGA Expertise and residential to the World Golf Corridor of Fame that opened this Might. This versatile new house represents the head of contemporary golf amenities, and is guaranteeing that each one facets of Golf Home Pinehurst from workplace areas to efficiency testing facilities are outfitted with top-tier technological capabilities.
Driving a Extra Inclusive Sport
Equally as vital, this Championship season has seen us double down on the connection between golf and the Cisco Networking Academy, as college students are having the chance to come back on-site to each championship programs and work side-by-side with Cisco engineers. Seeing the continued emergence and presence of those younger teams of distinguished Web Acad college students – or “Dream Groups” as we name them – jogs my memory of why Cisco chooses to spend money on golf, and the way important it’s that this funding stays anchored in our firm function to foster inclusivity. We’ve already seen this mission in golf come to life in 2024 when Cisco elevated its partnership with the Advocates Skilled Golf Affiliation (APGA) Tour, and our ongoing help of accessibility in golf by way of properties just like the U.S. Adaptive Open will be sure that this mission stays on the forefront of our wider golf portfolio.
Because the 2024 golf season rolls together with new storylines rising and new champions topped, arguably the story of the yr up to now has been the success of Workforce Cisco ambassador and present Rolex World Rating No.1 Nelly Korda. It’s been so unbelievable to look at what Nelly has achieved this yr on-course, successful six titles within the span of seven occasions, together with 5 straight from February by way of April capped off by her second profession main victory on the 2024 Chevron Championship. And whereas her on-course play has been mesmerizing alone, it doesn’t even start to scratch the floor of the higher impression Nelly’s play is having in inspiring feminine golfers around the globe.
Seeing her historic momentum to begin this yr is likely one of the many explanation why I’m continuously reminded how particular it’s to be a fan of golf, and the way grateful I’m that Cisco can help among the sport’s biggest stars. I’m additionally proud to share that we’ve not too long ago added World No. 5 and former main champion Hannah Inexperienced of Australia to Workforce Cisco, and we stay up for supporting her vibrant future each on and off the course.
Our funding within the sport of golf continues to be an unbelievable avenue to not solely additional our firm dedication to powering a extra inclusive future, but additionally serves as a implausible proof level to showcase why our prospects belief Cisco. The flexibility to ship throughout dynamic environments, assist obtain tangible outcomes and considerably impression the USGA by way of our ongoing collaboration highlights how Cisco provides organizations of all styles and sizes the arrogance and resiliency wanted to function seamlessly and securely in a constantly-evolving, digital surroundings.
Share:
