American Express Has Some Cool Stuff Going on at Bethpage

Last year, blogging buddy Geoff Shackelford raved about American Express' Championship Vision portable devices at Torrey Pines.  It was a part of a host of services and experiences that AmEx - a corporate backer of the USGA - had for people coming to the US Open.  This year, they're back again with services available for cardmembers and the general public.

At the gate, they have the Championship Experience and it's open to all.  You can get a 10 minute swing analysis with a PGA professional and the latest in analysis equipment.  There's a green speed simulation so you can know what it's like to putt on greens that run 14 on the Stimpmeter.  And, in case it's too hot or you want to be in one place, they have bleachers and TVs with live tournament coverage.

They're renamed Championship Vision to CourseCast, but it is basically the same service available to AmEx card holders as last year.  They have a TV device made by Kangaroo TV which delivers a live telecast of the championship and player information from anywhere on the course.  They've also introduced a radio CourseCast which picks up play by play from Sirius XM, any FM station, and can be taken home after the event.

Speaking of audio, AmEx worked with Jim Furyk to do a voiceover tour of Bethpage Black on their website and the CourseCast technology.  Also, do yourself a favor and read the profile of Jim Furyk as part of Golf World's US Open preview.  I am a big Furyk fan and I loved the writing - learned some new things about him as well.

And if you're not going to be in NYC for the Open, perhaps you might be in St. Augustine, Florida.  Admission to the World Golf Hall of Fame will be free on Father's Day.  They're going to feature their Bob Hope exhibit that I saw at the National Archives and really enjoyed.