THE NETHERLANDS, 8 Sept 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - The 14th hole at The Dutch will play host to a European Tour first when amateurs will have a chance to challenge the superstars during tournament play by hitting a shot to the green, with prizes on offer if they can get the ball closest to the pin.
The par three has been turned into an amphitheatre for the week and as part of the innovative new concept - formulated by tournament promoters TIG Sports and supported by KLM, ING Private Banking and the European Tour - one amateur player will tee off with each group of professionals on Thursday and Saturday.
The purpose built grandstands surrounding the 14th hole will add to the excitement and create an atmosphere to rival the wonderful Himmerland Hill at the Made in Denmark.
“I think it’s a great idea and something we should be trying to do more of in golf," said four-time European Tour winner Raphaël Jacquelin.
"Golf is unique because it is the only sport where professionals and amateurs can compete at the same time. We do it in a pro-am or with friends and family every other week, but this will add a little bit extra to that idea. I am looking forward to seeing how it works.
“Everyone knows about the famous 16th in Arizona where they have the stadium par three and that is an amazing hole. But this is a little different to that because we are letting someone from the crowd join us so it could be even better."
BMW PGA Championship winner Chris Wood will face some of the loudest crowds in golf later this month at the Ryder Cup, and he is excited at the prospect of the fans getting involved this week.
"I love the idea of the Beat the Pro competition this week," he said. "It’s a brilliant idea to let someone from the crowd take a shot next to us and experience what we do.
"The more things like that happen the better. It’s a brave idea and I know Daan (Slooter - Tournament Director) is really behind it and is keen to make it work.
"I am looking forward to it. If we can build an amazing atmosphere around that hole and take that idea forward we could have certain holes with a stadium atmosphere at a lot of events and that is the kind of thing golf needs.”
And Former European Tour player Robert Jan Derksen, now working for Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport, said: "It is a great way to bring entertainment to the golf tournament. No-one knows if it will work, but it’s a fresh idea and will be a lot of fun.
"The weather is beautiful this week so it think there will be a lot of fans there to create a brilliant atmosphere. The amateurs will be nervous as hell, but I hope they enjoy it and it would be amazing if we can see one of the amateurs beating the pros."