With the 124th U.S. Open about to start at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this week, it’s laborious to not get nostalgic in regards to the sport because it returns to one of the vital iconic venues within the nation. And whereas golf is a sport steeped in historical past and custom, it’s wonderful to mirror on the affect that our know-how has had in advancing the game by way of Cisco’s partnership with america Golf Affiliation (USGA).
Now in our sixth season as an Official Companion of the USGA, Cisco’s presence in and across the U.S. Ladies’s Open and U.S. Open continues to function a shining instance of what know-how can carry to the sport. From debuting the first-ever “Linked Course” on the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks, to seamlessly and securely deploying digital connectivity options throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with Webex by Cisco, to powering the usage of 4D know-how as a part of the published expertise of USGA Championships, now we have been laser-focused on producing significant outcomes for the USGA that finally profit all of us who watch and benefit from the sport.
However don’t take my phrase for it – hear from the USGA on how Cisco helps them keep related and guarded throughout their Championships and to help their enterprise twelve months a yr:
As we sit up for what the longer term holds for our partnership and for the game, it’s unimaginable to disregard the affect 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 know-how that minimizes radio interference and maximizes efficiency robotically, to assist guarantee followers, companions and occasion organizers have dependable, high-performance connectivity. Whereas that is only the start, we anticipate 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 Reside, we launched AI-powered capabilities throughout the whole 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 have interaction with the motion due to the USGA App which is able to embrace fan-favorite options like ShotCast Powered by Cisco. We may also join hundreds of thousands to the motion by way of Cisco’s function 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 top of contemporary golf services, and is making certain that every one elements of Golf Home Pinehurst from workplace areas to efficiency testing facilities are geared up 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 return 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 Internet 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 crucial it’s that this funding stays anchored in our firm goal 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 to this point has been the success of Workforce Cisco ambassador and present Rolex World Rating No.1 Nelly Korda. It’s been so unbelievable to observe what Nelly has executed 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 affect Nelly’s play is having in inspiring feminine golfers around the globe.
Seeing her historic momentum to begin this yr is among 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 a few of the sport’s best stars. I’m additionally proud to share that we’ve just lately added World No. 5 and former main champion Hannah Inexperienced of Australia to Workforce Cisco, and we look ahead to supporting her shiny 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 in addition 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 affect the USGA by way of our ongoing collaboration highlights how Cisco offers organizations of all sizes and styles the arrogance and resiliency wanted to function seamlessly and securely in a constantly-evolving, digital surroundings.
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