With the 124th U.S. Open about to begin at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this week, it’s hard not to get nostalgic about the game as it returns to one of the most iconic venues in the country. And while golf is a game steeped in history and tradition, it’s amazing to reflect on the impact that our technology has had in advancing the sport through Cisco’s partnership with the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Now in our sixth season as an Official Partner of the USGA, Cisco’s presence in and around the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Open continues to serve as a shining example of what technology can bring to the game. From debuting the first-ever “Connected Course” at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, to seamlessly and securely deploying virtual connectivity solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic with Webex by Cisco, to powering the use of 4D technology as part of the broadcast experience of USGA Championships, we have been laser-focused on generating meaningful outcomes for the USGA that ultimately benefit all of us who watch and enjoy the game.
But don’t take my word for it – hear from the USGA on how Cisco helps them stay connected and protected during their Championships and to support their business 365 days a year:
As we look ahead to what the future holds for our partnership and for the sport, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that AI will have. Already we are seeing that come to life this year with our deployment of Wi-Fi 6 at the US Open. Our Meraki access points utilize AI-powered technology that minimizes radio interference and maximizes performance automatically, to help ensure fans, partners and event organizers have reliable, high-performance connectivity. While this is just the beginning, we expect to see exponential transformation in the coming years across all industries with the evolution of an AI-driven world, and that’s why just last week at Cisco Live, we launched AI-powered capabilities across the entire Cisco portfolio and a $1B AI fund to advance industry innovation and customer readiness.
In addition to our wireless network deployment at Pinehurst, Cisco will help fans following from far and wide engage with the action thanks to the USGA App which will include fan-favorite features like ShotCast Powered by Cisco. We will also connect millions to the action through Cisco’s role in helping to deliver the broadcast, thanks to our continuing partnership with NBC.
I’m also proud to say that Cisco has supported the opening of the brand-new Golf House Pinehurst – a USGA Experience and home to the World Golf Hall of Fame that opened this May. This versatile new space represents the pinnacle of modern golf facilities, and is ensuring that all aspects of Golf House Pinehurst from office spaces to performance testing centers are equipped with top-tier technological capabilities.
Driving a More Inclusive Sport
Equally as significant, this Championship season has seen us double down on the connection between golf and the Cisco Networking Academy, as students are having the opportunity to come on-site to both championship courses and work side-by-side with Cisco engineers. Seeing the continued emergence and presence of these young groups of distinguished Net Acad students – or “Dream Teams” as we call them – reminds me of why Cisco chooses to invest in golf, and how critical it is that this investment remains anchored in our company purpose to foster inclusivity. We’ve already seen this mission in golf come to life in 2024 when Cisco elevated its partnership with the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, and our ongoing support of accessibility in golf through properties like the U.S. Adaptive Open will ensure that this mission stays at the forefront of our wider golf portfolio.
As the 2024 golf season rolls along with new storylines emerging and new champions crowned, arguably the story of the year thus far has been the success of Team Cisco ambassador and current Rolex World Ranking No.1 Nelly Korda. It’s been so incredible to watch what Nelly has done this year on-course, winning six titles in the span of seven events, including five straight from February through April capped off by her second career major victory at the 2024 Chevron Championship. And while her on-course play has been mesmerizing alone, it doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the greater impact Nelly’s play is having in inspiring female golfers around the world.
Seeing her historic momentum to start this year is one of the many reasons why I’m constantly reminded how special it is to be a fan of golf, and how grateful I am that Cisco can support some of the sport’s greatest stars. I’m also proud to share that we’ve recently added World No. 5 and former major champion Hannah Green of Australia to Team Cisco, and we look forward to supporting her bright future both on and off the course.
Our investment in the sport of golf continues to be an incredible avenue to not only further our company commitment to powering a more inclusive future, but also serves as a fantastic proof point to showcase why our customers trust Cisco. The ability to deliver across dynamic environments, help achieve tangible outcomes and significantly impact the USGA through our ongoing collaboration highlights how Cisco gives organizations of all shapes and sizes the confidence and resiliency needed to operate seamlessly and securely in a constantly-evolving, digital environment.
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