Dell Match Play
When you are a sports executive from the Northeast, two things that mean Spring is here are Easter and golf. Both of those were in Austin this past weekend! We did take a few days off to celebrate Easter, but before that we were out at the Dell Match Play at Austin Country Club. Professional golf is back in Austin for the first time since 2009, and it will be here for at least the next three years, which is fantastic news for the city. This high profile event brings in the world’s best golfers, including the hometown favorite Jordan Spieth, but the small host course keeps the crowds relatively low and away from downtown.
It felt great to be on a golf course again, and what a course! I wonder if the golfers knew before they arrived that every day they would get in at least one round of golf and a solid hike at the same time. The holes follow the landscape of Texas hill country, from high slopes along Deer Creek Canyon to low points bordering Lake Austin. Even walking the course as a spectator is not for the faint of heart, but it sure is beautiful.
Though there were not many sponsors, we were pleased to see some local fare represented in the tournament’s Fan Village. Visitor’s had the opportunity to enjoy feed options from Torchy’s Tacos, East Side King, Hat Creek Burger Company, Micklethwait Craft Meats and Amy’s Ice Creams for dessert!
The rest of the Fan Village was clearly taken over by Dell with a couple Cadillacs off to one side. Though the “future of golf” through a virtual headset seemed popular, the rest of the exhibit left something to be desired. Most people walked in and walked out. That being said, we were told by tournament staff that Dell focused more of their efforts and resources on the hospitality suites, some of which were built several stories high and decorated with plush furniture and glitzy chandeliers, which is completely understandable. The event would not happen unless the big dogs are kept happy.
Our biggest criticism from a logistical side was the credentials. It appeared that almost everyone had a plastic card of the same size, whether they were working or spectating, and the writing was too small to read unless you were very close. All of these similar looking badges made it frustrating for us to find someone who actually worked on staff, and they caused hold-ups at every hospitality entrance as security guards needed to carefully examine each individual pass. Note to anyone out there who runs an event with different credentials: make them distinguishable from a distance. Some suggestions are different colors or large letters/numbers for different groups.
Other than that, the event was lovely. The match play format is a nice change of pace from most PGA tournaments that gives spectators several opportunities to watch their favorites and gives some of the lower-ranked players a better chance to be in contention longer. All of the big names had crowds following, but none so large as the sea of UT orange cheering on Jordan Spieth from land and from lake. Nothing rallies the support of Texans like one of their own, and hopefully the Dell Match Play will soon be considered the same.
