Hacker’s Cup Golf Generating Media Exposure
Journalists and celebrities who travelled to Bermuda for the Hacker’s Cup in October are now spreading the word about Bermuda’s golf product to golf enthusiasts in the U.S. and Europe, the BTA said today.
“The event, in its fifth year, pits journalists against celebrities in a team golf event,” the BTA said. “It has always generated media attention among golf publications but this year the exposure is decidedly more multimedia with video and even a remote radio broadcast added to the mix.”
“The additional video and audio content is allowing golf journalists to tell not only golf stories, but Bermuda stories,” said Andrew Brooks, the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s director of golf sales and marketing. “Golfers are exposed to our great golf courses and also stories about our rum, our beaches and the America’s Cup.”
For the first time, the Hacker’s Cup included sailors from Oracle Team USA which added to the excitement of the event and provided journalists with additional storylines.
British golf writer Clive Agran has written about the Hacker’s Cup in Bermuda before, but this time he produced video content as well. His work is already playing on social media and will soon appear as part of in-flight programming on several airlines including Air Berlin, Air France and Emirates.
Watch: Clive Agran’s Video on Go Golf TV
Meantime, radio listeners on the east coast of the United States could listen to a remote broadcast from Bermuda during the Hacker’s Cup, October 21-24, 2015. Ann Liquori of National Public Radio affiliate WPPB played in the Hacker’s Cup and conducted her “Sports Innerview” programme from the island. Malcom Gosling, Jr., Mike Winfield and Andrew Brooks were among her show’s guests.
Listen: Ann Liquori’s Radio Show on WPPB
Golf Week, Hawk & Rude and The Golf Paper have also run content on the 2015 Hacker’s Cup. Tempus, NY Post and Women & Golf are expected to publish material in the future.
“Having journalists and celebrities test drive our golf courses and then offer their testimonials is an effective way to promote our golf product,” said Bill Hanbury, the BTA’s chief executive officer. “This kind of editorial content drives the decision making of travellers so naturally we’re very pleased with the coverage thus far and we’re excited that there is more to come.”
In this year’s Hacker’s Cup, celebrities and journalists from the United Kingdom played journalists as well as sailors from Team Oracle USA.
Game of Thrones actor Robert Pugh, English Premier League legend Darren Anderton and tennis great and former Wimbledon champion Peter Fleming were among the celebrities to participate. From Team Oracle USA, Jimmy Spithill, Rome Kirby and Tom Slingsby were among the golfers from the America’s Cup defenders.
The Hacker’s Cup began with a charity event at Riddell’s Bay Golf Club before moving on to Turtle Hill, Mid Ocean Club and Port Royal Golf Course.
