TORONTO, May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Electric~Spin, the creators of the award-winning Golf Launchpad series of golf simulators, and the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic today announce the creation of the world’s first Live Virtual Golf tournament - the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Par-3 Challenge.
Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, while the Classic is being played in the Town of the Blue Mountains, fans can compete in the world’s first Live Virtual Golf tournament with Electric~Spin’s home golf simulator, the Golf Launchpad Tour. Participants will play a closest-to-the-pin contest virtually against the pros golfing on holes 3, 12 and 17 of the Georgian Bay Club in Collingwood, Ontario one of the hosts of the Classic.
The Golf Launchpad Tour will be available to spectators attending the tournament at the Georgian Bay Club, as well as at a number of other locations to be announced.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Electric~Spin to engage more people in our charity golf event through Live Virtual Golf technology,” said Wayne Gretzky, hockey icon and founder of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “With Live Virtual Golf, fans can do more than just watch the game, they can get into it.”
Live Virtual Golf combines the Golf Launchpad Tour, Electric~Spin’s most recent addition to its line of ultra-realistic home golf simulators, with NDS’s industry leading XTVReady(TM) set-top box middleware technology to create the ultimate virtual golf experience. Golf fans can play and compete with their own clubs, on the same course, at the same time - and all from the comfort of their own home. Live Virtual Golf is the world’s first application that combines simulation and telecast to create a truly unique golf experience.
“We are honored and excited to announce the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Par-3 Challenge and let these golf fans be some of the first in the world to try the new Golf Launchpad Tour - the latest in virtual golf,” said Electric~Spin’s CEO, Anees Munshi. “Live Virtual Golf revolutionizes the way golfers and gamers interact with golf television programming.”
Electric~Spin’s Golf Launchpad Tour is an award-winning home golf simulator that features optical sensor technology, a golf physics engine and a tethered, regulation Surlyn(TM) golf ball to give users the feel, sensation and realism of an actual golf game.
“This is the first time that golf enthusiasts will be able to compete live against the pros from a remote location,” said Dean Reinmuth, world-renowned golf instructor, and consultant to Electric~Spin. “Imagine the excitement and anticipation that comes from combining that opportunity with the best golf technology out there.”
For more information about the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Par-3 Challenge, the world’s first Live Virtual Golf tournament, visit or .
About Electric~Spin
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Electric~Spin Corporation, the subsidiary of Electric-Spin Ltd. (TSX - V: ESC) is the worldwide leader in home golf simulators marketed under its Golf Launchpad brand and carried by premier retailers in over 16 markets worldwide. Electric~Spin designs, develops and manufactures its golf simulators, accessories and software at its headquarters in Woodbridge, Ontario, and at its Asian subsidiary. For media inquiries, please contact Chris Dittoe at Dittoe PR at 317-202-2280 ext 14, or Nadia Alfano at Electric~Spin at 1-866-571-7746 ext. 413. For more information, please visit
About the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung
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The ford Wayne Gretzky Classic is being held in the Town of the Blue Mountains June 23-29, the ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will provide fans with the opportunity to watch 160 professionals and 160 celebrities and amateurs pair up in a pro-am style tournament. As an official Nationwide Tour stop, players will be competing for one of the year’s largest purses at $800,099, with all four rounds televised on the Golf Channel. Two courses will host the tournament - The Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora bay - with proceeds from the tournament to benefit local charities and the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. Further information, including tickets and volunteer opportunities, can be found at .
About Wayne Gretzky Foundation
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Founded in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation’s mission is to provide less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey. This goal will be accomplished through the donation of hockey equipment and ice time, as well as providing the opportunity for young people to attend professional hockey games. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to the physical, emotional and social growth of young people.
Electric-Spin Ltd.