Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: The United States Golf Association (USGA) and Deloitte have renewed a multi-year professional-services partnership that extends their collaboration on initiatives that benefit golfers and the game.
The USGA and Deloitte first teamed up in 2014 to assess existing USGA programmes and develop strategies designed to better meet the evolving expectations of today’s golfers, its Allied Golf Associations, and clubs/facilities. In 2016, Deloitte and the USGA announced their first multi-year professional-services partnership.
“Deloitte’s outstanding thought leadership and experience have led to a pivotal evolution of our relationship with golf associations in communities across America, driving greater impact and ultimately advancing our service to the game,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.
He added: “By leveraging the power of data, we are building new ways for golfers and the golf industry to connect and learn, and the investment we are making in technology now should help empower the game long into the future. Our work with Deloitte continues to show us the many possibilities that lie ahead.”
Cathy Engelbert, Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte, said: “Our relationship with the USGA is built on a common commitment to golf’s values of integrity, collaboration and the pursuit of excellence – values that Deloitte shares. Deloitte not only wants to help the USGA grow the game, but increase engagement and inclusion by helping the modern golfer better connect to the game leveraging digital technology.”
The USGA and Deloitte made the announcement when the US Open Trophy was displayed at Deloitte’s Midtown Manhattan office, and more than 1,000 Deloitte employees in 30 offices played a nine-hole round of golf.
It marked Deloitte’s fifth PLAY9 Day outing, supporting a key USGA programme that encourages more people to play more golf, more often in today’s often time-strapped environment.
The US Open trophy was touring the New York metro area in advance of this week’s US Open Championship.
For the 118th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (June 14-17), Deloitte designed an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) experience meant to give fans a unique perspective on the championship and its rich history with Shinnecock Hills.
Fans can immerse themselves in a 360-degree, first-person perspective of Corey Pavin, who will narrate his shots from the 18th hole of the final round as he clinched his 1995 US Open win at Shinnecock. They will also have an opportunity to leverage VR to take a visual and historic tour of the iconic Trophy Room in Shinnecock’s clubhouse.
In addition to its professional services work with the USGA, Deloitte supports USGA championships and initiatives, including programmes that celebrate volunteerism and promote inclusion and innovation in and beyond the golf community. Deloitte also regularly supports events that use golf to help empower girls and young women on the cusps of their professional careers.