The Kodak Challenge Advisory Board

The Kodak Challenge is fortunate to have a distinguished collection of golf experts on the Kodak Challenge Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will help pick the holes that will be included in the competition. Pictured here are Tom Wade, CMO of the PGA TOUR on the left end and in the center is Kodak's Jeff Hayzlett, joined by the Advisory Board members (left to right) Jules Alexander, David Feherty, Lance Barrow, Rees Jones and Andy Pazder.

The Board member certainly do not lack thing to talk about when they are together. Here is Jules Alexander (left) chatting with Rees Jones and David Feherty.
One of the fun things about having these highly regarded members of the golf industry on the Advisory Board is that we get to spend time with them.
Jules Alexander is an amazing golf photographer who began his career after working with legendary golfer Ben Hogan. Jules talked to me about the way he captured some of his best shots and how he used Kodak film. A Kodak TMax ad featured one of Jules pictures in the eighties.

We met Lance Barrow, the CBS Sports golf Coordinating Producer for lunch. Lance was the epitome of a warm welcome and had us cracking up all through the meal. Modest and genuine, we couldn't ask for a better friend at the tournament.

He even invited us into the CBS trailer where all the TV magic happens. I posed at the controls and tried very hard not to touch anything. If a camera cut from a golfer to a hot dog stand that would have been my fault.

We also went to dinner with Lance and Rees Jones. Rees has possibly the most coveted job as a renowned golf course architect. At dinner Rees told us how his father, as a young man living in Rochester, was a caddy for George Eastman. How cool is that!? Apparently George was a very good tipper.
David Feherty is so good at asking questions, we turned the tables and asked him a few of our own. Check out this video of him answering five questions.
After only a few days of being around these Board members, I know more about golf than I ever thought I would.
Views around the course
Here are a couple shots from the Buick Open that I have taken around Warwick Hills.

This is the 17th hole which was the first hole chosen for the Kodak Challenge.

The view of the 18th hole from the Kodak Challenge tent. I couldn't believe how close we were to the golfers!

I was enthralled by this little golfer made from melons and other fruits and veggies. Even the golf club is a piece of melon!
Kodak Challenge Video
The Kodak Challenge
Last December Kodak and the PGA TOUR launched a six year partnership that included corporate hospitality and Kodak branding on digital scoreboards. This was pretty exciting.
There was another element of the partnership that wasn't mentioned. Today was the day we revealed it.

The big announcement was scheduled for the Buick Open at Warkwick Hills. As soon as I arrived I knew it was a special tournament. Check out the snazzy Buick golf carts!

The moment I stepped foot on the course I saw the Kodak brand on the leaderboards. We all took turns posing in front of it.

Fast forward to the afternoon press conference that was kicked off by wise cracking CBS Sports golf analyst, David Feherty. He introduced our own...

... Jeff Hayzlett who announced *drum roll please* The Kodak Challenge. The Kodak Challenge is a first of it's kind competition for PGA TOUR players with a $1 million dollar prize. There will be Kodak Challenge holes on select PGA TOUR tournament courses that celebrate the beauty and memorable moments of golf. The competition begins in January 2009 and players have to play at least 18 of the holes.

Tom Wade, the CMO of the PGA TOUR made a few comments about how Kodak and the PGA TOUR is a perfect fit for creating an exciting competition for the players and the fans.

PGA TOUR player J.J. Henry shared his thoughts on the Kodak Challenge. The players are excited because it's a unique opportunity... anyone could win it. Everyone is going to make sure they know where the Kodak Challenge holes are and will try a little harder when they are playing them. Golf lends itself to memorable moments and one shot on one hole can make all the difference.

David Feherty is a member of the Kodak Challenge Advisory Board that will help select the Kodak Challenge golf holes. David kept the crew in stitches with his stories and seems to be Jeff's kindred spirit.

They both wore cowboy boots to the golf course.

There is a great team working on making the Kodak Challenge successful. There's never a dull moment. Jeff especially gets really excited and sometimes has to be reminded there are people teeing off a few feet away.

There are a lot of golf enthusiasts in our office. Here is Donna from Kodak Graphic Communications playing in the Buick Open Pro Am.
The Kodak Challenge will as exciting for us as it will be for the players and fans.



