Gleneagles Introduces New Tech For Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup 2014 has confirmed the use of Radio Frequency Identification technology that will see spectators at Gleneagles receive a special RFID Wristband with their tickets, allowing them to take part in activities around the course and share their experiences instantly to social media.

Once activated, the wristbands will allow fans to engage with Official Partner activities based in the Ryder Cup Spectator Village including the BMW Car Display, and The Ryder Cup Experience with Standard Life Investments, where spectators can compete in a simulated team competition with live scoreboards around the venue.

Out on the course, the Active Scotland initiative ‘Walk the Course’, will encourage spectators to get out to all areas of the venue with prizes for those who check in at points around the course.  

Johnnie Walker will also be welcoming spectators at the back of the 2nd Green, and BMW owners will be able to use their wristband to enter the Owners’ Café at the 10th Hole and spend their pre-loaded tokens.

The wristbands will also enable fans to show support for their team, including a virtual ‘High Five’ for the European Team or Team USA on arrival.

By touching their wristband to points around the golf course fans will be registered on a supporters’ leaderboard and will be able to connect with friends and family around the world through automatic social media updates on Facebook and Twitter. 

The wristbands will also become a method of cashless payment accepted in certain areas of the course.

Antonia Beggs, operations director for The 2014 Ryder Cup said: ‘Ryder Cup Europe and the key stakeholders wanted to deliver the best possible spectator experience. As social media, smartphones and mobile internet have become a part of everyday life, the RFID technology seemed a natural choice to lift the event beyond the standard set previously.’

The RFID technology is embedded in the wristband and contains information about the wearer which they upload to The Ryder Cup website when registering their bands.

Serge Grimaux of Intellitix added: ‘Our RFID wristbands will mark The 2014 Ryder Cup out as something completely different to what has gone before in terms of interaction with spectators, media and indeed anyone visiting the course. The technology is totally secure and has been proven at a number of large scale events across the world.’

In addition to the RFID wristbands, Ryder Cup Europe has been working with the Scottish Government and mobile phone providers to provide ultrafast 4G wireless connections across the venue.