Virtual Open Championship Launches on World Golf Tour

Includes Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Documentary at Royal St George’s

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Golf Tour (WGT), the most realistic sports game on the web, is running the Virtual Open Championship, an annual online golf competition. The R&A, organizer of golf’s oldest Major, partnered with World Golf Tour to recreate Royal St George’s Golf Club, the host course of the 2011 Open Championship, as a high-definition virtual reality game. Anyone can compete in the Virtual Open and play Royal St George’s online for free by visiting www.opengolf.com or www.wgt.com.

“And having GamerLive.TV film it all gives our fans a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes, including the helicopter we use for our in-game aerial shots.”

“The Open Championship is the oldest Championship in golf and is the ultimate golfing test,” said Malcolm Booth, Head of Communications at The R&A. “By virtually recreating the course in photorealistic detail, golf fans around the world can experience the championship’s unique challenge for themselves.”

Prizes for the 2011 Virtual Open include a dream trip for two to the 2012 Open in England, limited-edition prints of Royal St George’s, and official Open Championship hats. The top 156 scores plus ties by July 17, 2011 will advance to the Virtual Open Championship rounds to be held the week after The Open. See tournament rules for details and eligibility.

As a special bonus for its fans this year, World Golf Tour partnered with GamerLive.TV to produce a behind-the-scenes documentary called “Making Of World Golf Tour” about how World Golf Tour recreated Royal St George’s for the Virtual Open, including footage of photographing the golf course and developing the game. The video is available directly from the game on WGT and via GamerLive.TV’s video network and at http://gamerlive.tv/world-golf-tour.

“We worked closely with The R&A and Royal St George’s to recreate every inch of the course,” said YuChiang Cheng, co-founder and CEO, WGT. “And having GamerLive.TV film it all gives our fans a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes, including the helicopter we use for our in-game aerial shots.”

About World Golf Tour

World Golf Tour (WGT) is the most realistic sports game on the web. WGT recreates famous golf courses including Bethpage, Kiawah Island and St Andrews’ Old Course in virtual reality using HD photography and patented technology. Each course is photographed from every angle, providing a true-to-life experience for golf enthusiasts. WGT is played using a web browser without any downloads or fees at www.wgt.com, on Facebook, or in the Google Chrome Web Store. Players can choose to purchase WGT credits to upgrade their virtual golf equipment, compete against each other, and enter tournaments to earn prizes such as real world golf trips. Virtual golf equipment is available from WGT sponsors, including GolfSmith, LoudMouth, PING, and TaylorMade. WGT is the online gaming partner of the USGA, R&A and LPGA and hosts virtual championships of many major golf tournaments, including the 2011 Virtual U.S. Open and the 2011 Open Championship. More at www.wgt.com.