- The BMW International Open in figures.
- Visitor information at: http://bit.ly/2rjMJUO.
- Tournament app at: http://bit.ly/28IXSrU.
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Tickets at: http://tickets.bmw-golfsport.com.
Munich. Next week, the wait will be over: the BMW
International Open (21st to 25th June 2017, GC München Eichenried)
will be held for the 29th time. For the first time in the history of
the tournament, the field will feature both the reigning Open
champion, Henrik Stenson (SWE), and the current owner of the Green
Jacket, Sergio García (ESP). Martin Kaymer, whose win in Eichenried
in 2008 remains the only victory by a German player, and a
collection of other major winners, Ryder Cup stars and a strong home
contingent are guaranteed to set golf fans’ pulses racing. From an
organisational point of view too, the organiser BMW has done
everything to ensure the event provides a magnificent tournament experience.
The BMW International Open is a tournament of superlatives, in many
regards. This goes for the top-class field and the organisational data
regarding the iconic tournament on the outskirts of Munich, which is
organised by BMW. Before the tournament gets underway, we have put
together some fascinating facts for you.
Spot the sports star. The traditional Pro-Am
tournament takes place on Wednesday (21st June). Visitors
on this day will have the opportunity to see the top golfers in a
relaxed atmosphere, before they really get ‘down to business’ in
Thursday’s opening round. Each pro will be joined by three amateurs in
the Pro-Am. Among them are such sports stars as biathlon legend Fritz
Fischer, three-time Olympic luge champion Felix Loch and three-time
world bobsleigh champion Johannes Lochner. Admission is free – as it
is on Thursday and Friday.
Plenty of space for sheer golfing pleasure: Some
elaborately constructed temporary buildings provide a total area of
9,500 m² for gastronomy, exhibitions and working areas at the
tournament site. The Public Area spans over 20,000 m² and offers space
for no fewer than 65 exhibitors. For comparison: when the tournament
was held for the first time in 1989, the Public Area covered just 400
m². In total, 250 trucks are used to assemble and dismantle the Public Area.
Unsung heroes: 3,500 people are employed during the
BMW International Open: 100 security staff, 250 experts to put
together the TV coverage, 500 technicians to assemble and dismantle
equipment, and 280 catering staff to look after the physical
well-being of fans and guests. 500 volunteers kindly give up their
time to make the event possible.
Great views: More than 2,800 spectators will follow
the action from specially erected grandstands over the course of the
tournament week. 4,000 guests will witness top-class golf from the BMW
Customer Lounge, while 3,500 VIP guests will enjoy an outstanding golf
experience in the Fairway Club during the BMW International Open.
Always well-informed: No fewer than nine manual
leaderboards and two electronic hole-by-hole scoreboards keep
spectators up-to-date with the latest scores during the tournament.
They are complimented by three video walls and 50 televisions, on
which tournament TV is broadcast live with information on the latest
events and any weather warnings.
Information highway: About 150 kilometres of cable
are laid across the tournament site, and over 400 access points
provided for electricity, telephone and television broadcasts. A far
cry from the inaugural tournament in 1989, when this figure was just
20 kilometres of cable. 16 cameras and 60 microphones are used to
ensure that every shot from the top flights is captured on film and
broadcast live to the rest of the world via satellite. A 622-Mbit
synchronous connection is available for live reporting on the
Internet. Free wireless is available for spectators throughout the
entire Public Area and the adjoining grandstands. Boosted GSM and LTE
radio cells from the major German mobile communication providers allow
visitors to use their mobile and smart phones. An independent DECT
telephone system is set up for the organisation team and media.
Tournament app: The wireless network and boosted
radio cells allow visitors to take advantage of the many useful
functions of the tournament app for iOS and Android smart phones. It
was developed by SAP and BMW, and provides all the information you
need regarding the tournament, player profiles, statistics, an
interactive map of the course, and the Player Locator, which shows in
real time where the players are currently located out on the course.
The app can be downloaded free of charge at: http://bit.ly/28IXSrU
Sheer pleasure: The sport is not the only top-class
aspect of the BMW International Open: it is matched by the quality
catering. 5,000 pretzels, 3,000 bottles of bubbly, 5,000 sandwiches,
2,000 bottles of wine and 10,000 litres of water are consumed over the
course of the tournament week.
Sustainability: Many measures to avoid waste and
conserve resources are implemented at the BMW International Open.
These include reusable system buildings, the avoidance of disposable
crockery, returnable bottles, recycling grey waste water, consistent
waste separation, and energy-efficient air conditioning systems in the
large tents.