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Incredible Technologies, Inc. 2007 Golden Tee World Championship Details Announced

For the Love of the Game to Determine Half of America’s Team
Other Big Changes Include Move to Las Vegas and New Spring Dates

( Arlington Heights, IL)  The Golden Tee World Championship is the premier event in video sports each year.  Conceived in 2002, the GTWC affords Incredible Technologies, the manufacturer of Golden Tee, the opportunity to showcase the global scope of the most popular coin-operated video game in history. 

Previously held each fall in Orlando, the 2007 Golden Tee World Championship will be held March 25-27 in the Tilted Kilt pub at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas.

When asked why the switch to Las Vegas for the World Championship, Scott Morrison, VP Marketing and World Championship tournament director said, “It’s time to move up to Las Vegas.  Orlando is a great place for golf, but when it comes to the excitement and allure of a world-class city, nothing tops Vegas.  And as for a venue, everyone knows the Rio is as hot as it gets.  I guarantee the teams will be treated to a weekend unlike any we’ve had so far.”

Not unlike the Ryder Cup in “real” golf, the GTWC pits a 16-man international squad against a 16-man American team.  The international team consists of teams from South Africa, the U.K., Australia and Canada.  During the previous 4 tournaments the Americans have prevailed 3 times with the World Team winning their only World Championship Cup in 2004.

Securing a spot on their country team has become the ultimate goal for Golden Tee players worldwide.  Not only do they get the chance to represent their country in an international competition, they are given an all-expenses-paid trip to the tournament, and a full array of team gear. 

And just as important, they are given the chance to earn the most-coveted title in video sports: Golden Tee World Champion and the $15,000 that goes with it.

Unlike previous years, when only professional Golden Tee players had a chance to make the squad, this year Incredible Technologies has decided to open the qualifying for Team USA to every Golden Tee player in America. 

“During the past 6 months, we criss-crossed the country conducting the Golden Tee Regional Championships,” said Elaine Hodgson, IT’s president and CEO.  “One thing struck us during our travels – there are literally thousands of players who love this game so much, that they will travel hundreds of miles to compete against others like themselves.  They may not play at a professional level.  In fact, one could say they’re simply average players.  But their ‘love of the game’ is undeniable.  This year we want to reward some of these average guys with a spot on the team and chance to play in the Worlds,” she said.

Since the fate of Team USA could not rest entirely on the fortunes of “average players”, the core of the team was decided during Team USA Shootouts at the Regionals and through special invitations.

Joining reigning world champion and Team USA captain, Chris Eversole, are Regional winners, Matt Estepp, Rod Critchlow, Chris Litzinger and Andy Haas.  Rounding out the core group are former world champions, Graig Kinzler and Jeff Harlow, and 5-time Golden Tee player-of-the-year, Dean Liakakos. 

“We are very pleased to offer spots on the team to Graig, Jeff and Dean,” said Scott Morrison,.  “These 3 men have been great champions and ambassadors of the game over the years and there is no question that they are among the best players in the world.  When assessing the core of Team USA, one would be hard-pressed to find a more formidable group than these 8 players.” 

Qualifying for the 8 remaining spots on Team USA commences on January 1, 2007 and ends on February 28.  Any player who completes at least 200 18-hole games of Golden Tee LIVE 2007 during this period is eligible. 

Every player who completes 200 games will be entered into the draft pool for the 8 remaining spots on the team.  IT will then select the team members from the draft pool at random.  It doesn’t matter what a player scores – as long as it’s par or better – or how many Golden Tee Points he collects.  He simply needs to play 200 games.

Tournament officials understand that 200 games in 2 months is a lot to ask of someone, and they realize that it’s a significant commitment in both time and money. 

“Only those players with a true love of the game will grind it out and make the effort to play 200 games,” Morrison said.  “As remarkable as it may sound, we currently have a core group of approximately 150 players who already play over 100 games each month.  Those players are already at the 200 game threshold.  We know that there are hundreds more who are at least halfway there each month.  We really don’t know what to expect regarding an increase to this number, but we believe it will double or triple.  Operators are urged to make sure their games are in top condition and updated to 2007.”

When asked what he thought of the new qualifying format, Larry Elbert of Camden Amusement in Cedar Rapids IA said he initially thought no average player would increase his play to get into the draft pool.

“Oh, how I was mistaken!” Elbert said.  “I talked to many players (a good sampling of average to above-average players) at my top location and they all thought this was a great idea.  They said they would love to go to Vegas for the tournament and would get their 200 games in.  To have a chance to represent their country in a tournament like this was something truly special.  I expect this new format to result in more revenue for operators.”

Elbert went on to describe a Team USA qualifying promotion that he hopes will increase revenue on his route.

“If any of my players gets chosen to go to the Worlds, I will give them $500 in Golden Tee gift cards (so they can practice before the tournament), plus $500 cash for spending money in Las Vegas.  In addition, all players that have played 200 games will receive a $50 gift card as a ‘good neighbor’ bonus.  I want as many guys as possible to qualify.  Each one of them means at least $800 in the cashbox.”

“We hope that this format strikes a positive chord with the vast majority of players who love this game but just can’t spare the time and energy to compete at the professional level regularly,” Morrison said.  “We wish there were a spot for everyone on the team, but this is as close as we can come to making that happen.  Good luck to everyone!”

Key Team USA Qualifying Information

Operators need to know the following information in order to be prepared for Team USA qualifying.

Those players contemplating a run at the 200-game minimum and entering the draft pool must
comply with the following requirements:

1. Players must be 21 or over to compete.
2. Only 18-hole games in Glory Play or Prize Play on Golden Tee LIVE 2007 will count.
3. Only those games completed from January 1 through February 28, 2007 will count.
4. A searchable leaderboard will be available at www.goldentee.com that will show players the number of games they’ve completed during the qualifying period.
5. Each person’s name will be put into the draft pool only once.  Whether someone plays 200 games or 2,000 they will have only one spot in the draft pool.
6. Players who compete under multiple ID’s will not have their games combined under any circumstances.  In other words a player must complete at least 200 games under one ID or player card.  Absent-minded players who may feel the need for a back up card or cards are encouraged to order spares now.
7. Only completed games will count.  Games that are not completed, or not reported to ITNet for any reason, will not count. That includes mechanical failure during or after the game.
8. Only games with scores of par or better will count toward the 200-game minimum.  Games shot over par will not count.
9. Players are encouraged to inform their locations and operators that they intend to compete for a Team USA spot.  Make sure they know to update the game to 2007 and that it needs to be in top working condition.
10. The draft will take place on Friday, March 2, during the Golden Tee Team USA Selection Show that will be webcast to the entire world.

11. In order to be entered into the draft pool, players who have met the requirements must register for the draft by 11:59 p.m. local time on March 1, 2007 by logging into their Web account at www.goldentee.com and clicking on the TEAM USA REGISTRATION banner.  No player will be eligible for the draft unless he registers.
12. In order to make sure that Team USA will consist of a full 16-man roster, the names of 5 alternates will be selected immediately following the selection of the initial 8 names.
13. Players will have until 4:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, March 6 to claim their spot on the team.  If someone does not claim by that time the first alternate will be contacted.

About the Golden Tee World Championship

Debuting in 2002, the Golden Tee World Championship has awarded over $200,000 in prize money and crowned 4 world champions.  The GTWC has received coverage by The Golf Channel, USA Network, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, ESPN, the Associated Press, USA Today and hundreds of local newspapers and TV and radio outlets.  Besides being the amusement industry’s top live event in America each year, the GTWC has also garnered coverage in the U.K., Australia, Canada and South Africa.  Read more about it by visiting the official GTWC website at http://www.goldentee.com/Competitions/WorldChampionship/2007/default.asp.

About Incredible Technologies

Arlington Heights, Illinois-based Incredible Technologies is the largest manufacturer of coin-operated video games in the United States.  Along with its flagship video golf series, Golden