Golf, “Ponte Vecchio” back with a new formula

Great golf back in Florence for the Ponte Vecchio Challenge 2011, one of the most extraordinary golfing events. Twelve players representing twelve countries will Challenge themselves for the “crown” of the King of the approach. The player will be teeing off from the Ponte Vecchio Bridge toward three floating greens anchored in the Arno river.

This year the champions who will compete on the Ponte Vecchio are Bernhard Langer, Martin Wiegele, Alejandro Canizares, Pablo Martin, Josè Manuel Lara, Andrea Pavan, Richard Mcevoy, Lee Slattery, Michael Hoey, Lloyd Saltman, Seve Benson and Simon Wakefield.

The new format

The Championship is a team competition, to be decided by a combination of Medal and Match-Play, involving two teams each of six players – the ‘Home of Golf’ team and the ‘Rest of World’ team.

Round 1 will be played on Saturday, December 17. Round 2 will be completed on Sunday, December 18. The tee will be available for practice on Friday, December 16.

Round 1 will involve all players playing medal play from a specially constructed ‘Tee’ on the Ponte Vecchio to three ‘Greens’ floating on the River Arno, secured at varying distances from the bridge.

Each of the three greens has a different points value depending on that distance: Green 1 – approx 75m/80yds: 4 points, Green 2 – approx 110m/120yds: 7 points, Green 3 – approx 140m/150yds: 10 points.

Players each have 12 balls and must play 4 balls to each of the three greens – the sequence of play is up to the individual player. Points are awarded for balls landing and stopping on the greens.

The Players on each team are then ranked according to the points achieved. In the event of ties the first player to have posted the score shall have the higher ranking.

Round 2 will be decided by Match-Play with the highest ranked player on each team, at the conclusion of Round 1, playing the lowest ranked player: Player ranked 1 plays against the Player ranked 6, Player ranked 2 plays against the Player ranked 5, Player ranked 3 plays against the Player ranked 4, Player ranked 4 plays against the Player ranked 3, Player ranked 5 plays against the Player ranked 2,
Player ranked 6 plays against the Player ranked 1, The order of play will be decided by lot.

In Round 2 matches each player will hit 12 balls, alternately – the player accumulating the most points will be declared the winner and will earn one point for his/her team. While the players may decide the sequence of the holes played they must play to all three greens at least once and they may not score on the same green more than four times.

In the event of a tie at the conclusion of Round 2, the two Team Captains will each select one player to represent the Team in the deciding match. The selected players will each have 10 balls which will be played alternately – the order of play will be decided by lot. The players may again play holes in any sequence although they must play to all three greens at least once and may not score on the same green more than four times.