The GD Challenge: A Year of Golfing Excitement and Philanthropy

Strategic Insights -

The Great Deceiver (GD) Challenge, born out of a statement by Tiger Woods, has become a remarkable annual event that brings golf enthusiasts together for a good cause. Last year's inaugural event at the 2008 U.S. Open site, Torrey Pines South, sparked an incredible response, and this year's Challenge 2 is set to take place on June 12 at Long Island's Bethpage Black, the same course that will host the 2009 U.S. Open from June 18-21. The event has garnered significant partnerships with major brands, including American Airlines, American Express, AT&T, IBM, Peter Millar, Rolex, and Tiffany, despite the economic downturn.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GD Challenge began last year with Tiger Woods' statement that no "mortal" could break 100 on championship courses where pro golfers rarely break par.
  • The event has seen incredible response, with partnerships established with American Airlines, American Express, AT&T, IBM, Peter Millar, Rolex, and Tiffany, set by last November.
  • NBC Sports will be telecasting an hour of Challenge highlights before the Open's final round last year, and expanded to 11/2 hours this year, with the support of NBC Sports president Dick Ebersole.
  • The fivesome taking the Challenge this year are NBA legend Michael Jordan, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, singer Justin Timberlake, Phoenix police officer Larry Giebelhausen, and caddies Fred Couples, Anthony Kim, and Rocco Mediate.
  • Last year's contest winner John Atkinson played despite a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer, and although his health will not allow him to attend this year's event, his family members will represent him.
  • The GD Challenge beneficiaries are the nonprofit First Tee, which teaches golf to underprivileged kids, and local Long Island charities.
  • Nearly 73,581 people voted online, with Larry Giebelhausen's six-word essay "I'm a cop, I'll shoot low" topping the list.

Statistics:

  • The 2008 U.S. Open site, Torrey Pines South, hosted the inaugural GD Challenge last year.
  • The event will take place on June 12 at Long Island's Bethpage Black, the same course that will host the 2009 U.S. Open from June 18-21.
  • 73,581 people voted online for the GD Challenge, with 109,712 total participants.
  • Larry Giebelhausen's six-word essay "I'm a cop, I'll shoot low" topped the list of submissions.
  • The GD Challenge has attracted partnerships with major brands, including American Airlines, American Express, AT&T, IBM, Peter Millar, Rolex, and Tiffany.

Sources:

  • min (min, June 2, 2008)
  • Tom Bair, Vice President/Publisher, GD (as of September 2004)