Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

European Tour Productions Hits Its Stride at the Open Championship

23/07/2019

Live from The Open: European Tour Productions hits its stride at Royal Portrush By Fergal Ringrose, Editorial Director, Europe

Monday, July 22, 2019 - 12:36

Print This Story

Stuart Cook, European Tour Productions, senior technical producer

The 148th Open Championship in 2019 marks the fourth year that European Tour Productions (ETP) has been the television production partner for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A). ETP is responsible for providing the world feed from the sport's oldest Championship, which is used by Golf Channel, NBC Sports, Sky Sports, TV Asahi and its other international broadcast partners and rights holders.

With The Open returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly 70 years, SVG's Ken Kerschbaumer and Fergal Ringrose took the opportunity to sit down on Saturday morning with ETP's senior technical producer Stuart Cook to discuss golf coverage, the massive logistical challenge behind The Open production, and the experience of working with the local stakeholders in the town of Portrush to deliver a hugely successful sell-out sporting event.

European Tour Productions are getting into our stride now, I would say, said Cook. We can produce good golf; that's bread and butter for us, it's what we do even on this scale, with our Ryder Cup experience.

Not only do we produce the world feed, we also take a coordination role between all the other on-site broadcasters. We're the go-to people. We facilitate all of the other broadcasters on-site, although they're off doing their own productions.

This year has been the best Open for us. I think when the R&A awarded the contract to European Tour Productions to produce the world feed and NBC, Golf Channel and Sky Sports got involved - I don't think that knew what they were unleashing!

The resources that the R&A, European Tour Productions, Sky and NBC are putting into it are off the charts compared to what went on before. So suddenly we've become a massive consumer of real estate, resources and the R&A's time.

But we have also brought to the party is great cooperation. I think the new partnership was a bit of a shock to the R&A because the whole television production just mushroomed.

I see myself as a coordinator of television facilities. I'm the main point of contact between the R&A and all the broadcasters. The R&A folks now know that if someone asks me for something and I ask them, we really need it we're not just asking for fun. That's made this year a lot less stressful, said Cook.

Fergal Ringrose: The Open is back in Royal Portrush for the first time in 68 years. What have been the key challenges in coming over here for the event?

Well they've had big championships here before, like the Irish Open and the Seniors Open. We're on public land here, on council land, so we've had to deal with the council and the residents.

The TV compound is situated on a public car park, where the locals normally park to walk their dogs. Last year at Carnoustie we were completely isolated.

This has been a different experience. But actually everyone at the council has been 1000% behind this.

View of the TV compound at Royal Portrush

I've been coming here for two years now and I've noticed that the town of Portrush has had major improvements to the infrastructure, including the railway station. The road from Belfast has been massively improved. So the whole area has benefited from The Open coming here.

Because we're in the town centre here, we meet the residents every day going to the beach or walking their dogs: I would say they are 99.9% behind us, even though we've inconvenienced them massively by taking over this big car park for four weeks in total. Everyone is so supportive.

With the collaboration we've got with the council, residents, local businesses and the greater understanding of the R&A in relation to just what a massive consumer of resources television is, it's been an absolute dream year this year.

Ken Kerschbaumer: If the compound was not located in this public car park, what would have been the alternative? This is the first time the compound has actually been located on tarmac rather than grass?

The way it works is that the R&A's advanced planning team decides where the TV compound is going to go, said Cook. For our first Open at Troon, we were in the middle of the golf course - which just made life very difficult for us, in relation to truck access and delivery of cabins and trailers, plus supplies like fuel and catering. Again they have learned that we're such a big operation that being here, separate to the main golf course entrances, is a dream for us.

We've got about 80 cabins here. Normally we've had to mark the grass out and lay trackway, and then we'd have to think very carefully about if we could crane a cabin into position from the trackway or do we need to put more trackway in and then take it away?

Whereas here, the trucks can just drive in and park up. So the rate of build of the compound was much faster this year. For many reasons - apart from perhaps the weather! - it has been a dream this year.

Although, having said all that, because the TV compound is so far to the west of the golf course, we have got a remote compound behind the fifth tee, in the public car park there. And again the local council have been fabulous in allowing us to take over a large section of the car park there. For the folks working at that end of the course we've got catering, toilets, buggy-charging and equipment stores.

Fergal Ringrose: Of course ETP's core business here is producing the world feed for broadcast partners. How has that production evolved and have there been any innovations this year?

When we took over the world feed four years ago I think we revo
LINK: https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/live-from-the-open-european-t...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026

Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2026

Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...

18/03/2026

Neutrik To Showcase opticalCON ADVANCED Connectors At 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Details 2026 NAB Show Educational Sessions

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

Ben Bradshaw Joins PSSI as Director, Product and Network Development

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

Peter Thordarson Joins ASG as Technical Account Executive

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

Survey: Voters Trust TV News Over AI, Social and Search

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

2026 NAB Show Exhibitor Insight: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...

18/03/2026

Maxon Marks Its Official Entry Into the AEC Market With I...

Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...

18/03/2026

Digital Alert Systems NAB Preview 2026

Digital Alert Systems Preview 2026 NAB Show April 19 - 22 Booth C3452 At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...

18/03/2026

Setplex Transforms Video Streaming with AI and Super Aggr...

Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...

18/03/2026

SES Announces Extension of Tender Offer

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...

18/03/2026

COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago

COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago Brie Clayton March 17, 2026 0 Comments Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...

18/03/2026

COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago

COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago Brie Clayton March 17, 2026 0 Comments Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...

18/03/2026

COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago

COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago Brie Clayton March 17, 2026 0 Comments Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...

18/03/2026

COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago

COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago Brie Clayton March 17, 2026 0 Comments Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...

18/03/2026

Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware, Virtual and Hybrid Audio Lineup Yet

Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...

18/03/2026

Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio

Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio Brie Clayton March 17, 2026 0 Comments DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...

18/03/2026

Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown

Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...

18/03/2026

Charlie Puth Joins Switched On Pop at Berklee NYC

Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...

18/03/2026

X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart Manufacturing at MAX and American Coatings Show

X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart...

18/03/2026

BAFTA winner James McAvoy to star in Sky Original series Meantime, based on the novel by Frankie Boyle

Wednesday 18 March 2026 BAFTA winner James McAvoy to star in Sky Original serie...

18/03/2026

Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing announce multi-year agreement for the UK and Ireland

Wednesday 18 March 2026 Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing announce multi-year agreement for the UK and Ireland Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have announced a new mult...

18/03/2026

Sky Unveils Poster and Trailer for Original Feature Film Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

Wednesday 18 March 2026 Sky Unveils Poster and Trailer for Original Feature Fil...

18/03/2026

UP NEXT: Sky presents a bold slate of new, premium acquired content

Wednesday 18 March 2026 UP NEXT: Sky presents a bold slate of new, premium acquired content Sky reveals slate of newly acquired premium drama and comedy, as i...

18/03/2026

UP NEXT: Sky unveils an unmissable genre-spanning slate of new shows, exclusive previews and first looks for 2026 and beyond

Wednesday 18 March 2026 UP NEXT: Sky unveils an unmissable genre-spanning slate...

18/03/2026

Preparatevi Alla Terza E Ultima Stagione De 'La Legge di Lidia Pot' In Arrivo Solo Su Netflix Dal 15 Aprile

Back to All News Preparatevi Alla Terza E Ultima Stagione De La Legge di Lidia ...

18/03/2026

Netflix Drops Teaser and First Look Images for The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek'

Back to All News Netflix Drops Teaser and First Look Images for The Chestnut M...

18/03/2026

Harmonic Enhances XOS Advanced Media Processor to Streamline Next-Generation Broadcast Distribution

New Playout-to-Delivery Capabilities Elevate ATSC 3.0 Experiences, Lower DTV In...

17/03/2026

NASA+ Prepares To Live Stream Historic Artemis II Mission, Bringing Deep-Space Exploration to Global Audiences

NASA+'s Rebecca Sirmons and Brittany Brown offer unique look at live streami...

17/03/2026

BBright's TTML & SMPTE ST 2110-43: One Single Stream For the Whole World

The transition to IP has fundamentally reshaped professional media infrastructures. Video, audio, and increasingly metadata now circulate as independent, precis...