Citi And Presidents Cup Announce The Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-08-18
Fans & Golfers To work Together To Collectively Drive A Golf Ball Virtually Around The World In Celebration Of Presidents Cup.
NEW YORK, New York — In celebration of the global impact of the Presidents Cup, tournament officials and Presidents Cup Global Partner Citi today announced the launch of the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge that begins today and runs through the 2017 Presidents Cup. The Presidents Cup will be played September 26 – October 1 at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. As part of the challenge, golfers and participants will drive a golf ball the 43,825,760 yards it takes to circle the globe. In honor of the challenge, Citi is donating enough for No Kid Hungry to provide one million meals to kids in need. No Kid Hungry’s mission is to end childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food as well as teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. No Kid Hungry is able to provide up to 10 meals to kids in need for every dollar that Citi donates.
Participants will be able to partake in the challenge to drive the ball around the world by hitting golf balls in mobile golf simulators that will travel around New York and New Jersey, as well as by engaging on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag “#Citi44MilYards.” Each use of the hashtag will be equivalent to hitting the ball 1,000 yards. Fans and participants can follow the progress of the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge and find the latest information on the golf simulator stop locations and timing by visiting: www.PresidentsCup.com/Citi44MilYards
Ed Skyler, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Citi, said, “We are proud to partner with the Presidents Cup and are sponsoring the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge for several important reasons – the ability to engage our community in a fun and interactive event, an opportunity to contribute to the important work done by No Kid Hungry and, as a bank with operations in almost 100 countries, it’s a great way to highlight the global appeal of golf and sports more generally. It’s also a way to teach participants a new fun fact – the earth’s circumference is 44 million yards!”
“We are thrilled to partner with Citi for the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge to help celebrate the global impact of the Presidents Cup,” said Presidents Cup Executive Director Matt Kamienski. “This initiative will provide the opportunity for thousands of fans throughout New York and New Jersey, and even more fans globally through social media, to experience the Presidents Cup in a fun and interactive way.”
As part of the Citi activation, a mobile golf simulator will stop at iconic locations around New York and New Jersey. Participants will be able to hit golf balls into the simulated backdrops of New York City and New Jersey, including the 14th hole at this year’s Presidents Cup, and add to the total number of yards.
Tour stops confirmed to date include:
- Citi Summer Streets, Astor Place on Saturday, August 19
- A private event at Liberty National Golf Club on Monday, August 21
- The Oculus World Trade Center on Sunday, September 3
- Citi Field on Friday, September 8
- Union Square on Tuesday, September 12
- TopGolf, Edison NJ on Saturday, September 16
- Pier A, Battery Park on Thursday, September 21
At each location, participants will receive a commemorative Presidents Cup token, as well as enjoy a Presidents Cup-branded photo backdrop, putting green and Puttskee. In addition, official Citi caddies will hand out Presidents Cup and Citi branded giveaways to celebrate the tournament coming to New York City and New Jersey.
The professionals participating in the Presidents Cup will also contribute to the total yards throughout the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge. Players’ tee shots from the end of the 2015 Presidents Cup through the end of the 2017 Presidents Cup will be included in the total yardage.
In addition to the mobile tour stops, the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge will be available within the Presidents Cup Fan Experience in The Oculus World Trade Center in New York City, a destination open to the public at no charge from September 26 - October 1. The Fan Experience will also include a 4-D dome featuring a short film voiced by Comedy Central’s James Davis, putting greens, a Global Tasting Adventure, retail merchandise and live programming from the Golf Channel and NBC.
On site at the Presidents Cup, the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge will be stationed at the Citi Interactive Zone that will be open to all tournament attendees throughout the tournament week. The Citi Interactive Zone will also feature a range of activities for all ages including a virtual simulator of the first tee at Presidents Cup, pressure putt, bunker challenge, a chipping area and mini golf. Additionally, Citi cardholders onsite at the Presidents Cup can participate in the Citi 44 Million Yard Challenge by visiting the golf simulator located in the cardmember lounge. As part of the launch and promotion of the 44 Million Yard Challenge, digital content featuring five-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Thomas and fans taking part in the challenge can be viewed below.
For updates on the Presidents Cup, or to purchase tickets, check www.presidentscup.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thepresidentscup, Twitter and Instagram at @presidentscup and sign up for the Presidents Cup e-newsletter on the tournament’s web site.