A year ago, it was the members of Dude Perfect using baseball bats and hockey sticks while they played Amen Corner for their popular YouTube channel subscribers.
Last week, a hip new commercial with a lot of young people having a good time was unveiled.
Now on the tee: a celebrity video game challenge.
Yes, the Green Jackets are working to appeal to the cool kids, and it seems to be working.
On Sunday, April 2, after the Drive, Chip and Putt and ahead of the first Monday practice round, Augusta National Golf Club will host the “Road to the Masters Invitational” in the club’s Press Building in front of a live audience. You can watch the official teaser for this event here.
The event will help hype the new EA Sports PGA Tour: Road to the Masters, which will be available on April 7.
The April 2 livestream will start at 6 p.m. ET and run for two hours and can be found in a variety of places:
- Masters.com
- @TheMasters on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook
- @EA on Twitch
- @EASPORTSPGATOUR on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
- @EASPORTS on Facebook
- ESPN+ and the ESPN app
An edited version of the show will be televised at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN2 on Wednesday, April 5, about 12 hours before the ceremonial first tee shots on the first hole ahead of the first round.
The participating celebrities have not been announced yet but in a news release, ANGC says: “A cross-section of participants from the worlds of sports, entertainment, gaming and social media will convene in Augusta National’s Press Building in front of a live audience to play EA Sports PGA Tour: Road to the Masters.”
Calling the action
What has been announced are the TV personalities who will be there to deliver commentary.
Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner will host with Amanda Renner of CBS Sports and Michael Collins and Marty Smith, both of ESPN, providing live analysis.
What’s the format?
There will be four teams of two who will play alternate shot for nine holes. Then, the top two teams will advance to Amen Corner for a three-hole, alternate-shot final round.
Invitation only
While streamed worldwide, the event is private and invitation-only. The audience will include Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta and the First Tee of Augusta. Expected guests will also be the winners of the 2023 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, 2022 Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Harrison Crowe, 2023 Latin America Amateur champion Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira as well as competitors from the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Proceeds of the video game sales earned by Augusta National will be contributed to the Masters Tournament Foundation and support its work to grow interest in golf around the world.