With the 124th U.S. Open about to start at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this week, it’s exhausting to not get nostalgic concerning the recreation because it returns to one of the vital iconic venues within the nation. And whereas golf is a recreation steeped in historical past and custom, it’s wonderful to mirror on the affect that our expertise has had in advancing the game by way of Cisco’s partnership with the USA Golf Affiliation (USGA).
Now in our sixth season as an Official Associate of the USGA, Cisco’s presence in and across the U.S. Girls’s Open and U.S. Open continues to function a shining instance of what expertise can convey to the sport. From debuting the first-ever “Related Course” on the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks, to seamlessly and securely deploying digital connectivity options through the COVID-19 pandemic with Webex by Cisco, to powering the usage of 4D expertise as a part of the printed expertise of USGA Championships, we now have been laser-focused on producing significant outcomes for the USGA that finally profit all of us who watch and benefit from the recreation.
However don’t take my phrase for it – hear from the USGA on how Cisco helps them keep related and guarded throughout their Championships and to help their enterprise three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months:
As we look forward to what the longer term holds for our partnership and for the game, it’s unattainable to disregard the affect that AI may have. Already we’re seeing that come to life this 12 months with our deployment of Wi-Fi 6 on the US Open. Our Meraki entry factors make the most of AI-powered expertise that minimizes radio interference and maximizes efficiency mechanically, to assist guarantee followers, companions and occasion organizers have dependable, high-performance connectivity. Whereas that is only the start, we count on to see exponential transformation within the coming years throughout all industries with the evolution of an AI-driven world, and that’s why simply final week at Cisco Dwell, we launched AI-powered capabilities throughout the whole Cisco portfolio and a $1B AI fund to advance business innovation and buyer readiness.
Along with our wi-fi community deployment at Pinehurst, Cisco will assist followers following from far and extensive interact with the motion because of the USGA App which is able to embrace fan-favorite options like ShotCast Powered by Cisco. We may even join hundreds of thousands to the motion by way of Cisco’s function in serving to to ship the printed, because of our persevering with partnership with NBC.
I’m additionally proud to say that Cisco has supported the opening of the brand-new Golf Home Pinehurst – a USGA Expertise and residential to the World Golf Corridor of Fame that opened this Might. This versatile new house represents the top of recent golf amenities, and is making certain that every one features of Golf Home Pinehurst from workplace areas to efficiency testing facilities are outfitted with top-tier technological capabilities.
Driving a Extra Inclusive Sport
Equally as important, this Championship season has seen us double down on the connection between golf and the Cisco Networking Academy, as college students are having the chance to come back on-site to each championship programs and work side-by-side with Cisco engineers. Seeing the continued emergence and presence of those younger teams of distinguished Internet Acad college students – or “Dream Groups” as we name them – jogs my memory of why Cisco chooses to spend money on golf, and the way crucial it’s that this funding stays anchored in our firm objective to foster inclusivity. We’ve already seen this mission in golf come to life in 2024 when Cisco elevated its partnership with the Advocates Skilled Golf Affiliation (APGA) Tour, and our ongoing help of accessibility in golf by way of properties just like the U.S. Adaptive Open will make sure that this mission stays on the forefront of our wider golf portfolio.
Because the 2024 golf season rolls together with new storylines rising and new champions topped, arguably the story of the 12 months to date has been the success of Group Cisco ambassador and present Rolex World Rating No.1 Nelly Korda. It’s been so unimaginable to look at what Nelly has executed this 12 months on-course, successful six titles within the span of seven occasions, together with 5 straight from February by way of April capped off by her second profession main victory on the 2024 Chevron Championship. And whereas her on-course play has been mesmerizing alone, it doesn’t even start to scratch the floor of the better affect Nelly’s play is having in inspiring feminine golfers world wide.
Seeing her historic momentum to begin this 12 months is without doubt one of the many explanation why I’m consistently reminded how particular it’s to be a fan of golf, and the way grateful I’m that Cisco can help a number of the sport’s biggest stars. I’m additionally proud to share that we’ve not too long ago added World No. 5 and former main champion Hannah Inexperienced of Australia to Group Cisco, and we stay up for supporting her vivid future each on and off the course.
Our funding within the sport of golf continues to be an unimaginable avenue to not solely additional our firm dedication to powering a extra inclusive future, but additionally serves as a unbelievable proof level to showcase why our clients belief Cisco. The power to ship throughout dynamic environments, assist obtain tangible outcomes and considerably affect the USGA by way of our ongoing collaboration highlights how Cisco provides organizations of all sizes and shapes the boldness and resiliency wanted to function seamlessly and securely in a constantly-evolving, digital surroundings.
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