The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) — one of the longest-running women’s professional sports organizations in the world — selected Schneider Electric as its weather provider for 2016-2018. Schneider Electric will provide all 34 international LPGA tournaments with its top-rated, accurate weather forecasts and meteorological support, including the Symetra Tour — the LPGA’s official qualifying tour.
Schneider Electric will provide on-site weather support for 22 LPGA tournaments, placing a strong emphasis on providing safety for golf professionals and patrons via advanced lightning monitoring capabilities, severe storm tracking and alerting, as well as on-the-ground meteorological support for tournament logistics.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with Schneider Electric for another three years,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, Chief Tour Operations Officer at the LPGA. “Schneider Electric meteorologists are an integral part of our LPGA and Symetra Tour on-site teams. Accurate weather forecasts and minute-by-minute consultation while dangerous storms are approaching helps us to deliver the best possible tournament experience. ”
Officials and LPGA management also have access to Schneider Electric’s Weather Sentry Online platform, which provides location-specific weather forecast and radar information, patented precipitation timing capabilities, advanced lightning detection and alerting capabilities via smartphone, tablet or desktop. The LPGA depends on this up-to-the-minute information to protect golf professionals and patrons from severe weather.
Lighting Predictions Help Ensure Player, Spectator Safety
Lightning has the biggest, and most dangerous impact on the operations and safety at professional golf events. With Schneider Electric’s next generation lighting safety technology, the LPGA can track lightning headed for a particular area in real-time. When lightning strikes are detected within a pre-determined area, alerts are automatically sent to LPGA officials and staff via email or text message. These alerts are vital for spectator and player safety, as lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the main storm cell. Combined with access to Schneider Electric’s experienced meteorologists, the LPGA will have the most comprehensive state-of the-art approach to lightning protection.
Schneider Electric provides weather services for most prominent golf tournaments, including the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, Web.com Tour, the PGA of America Championships, and other premiere golf events. By continuing to partner with Schneider Electric, the LPGA further establishes the company as the golf industry’s leading provider of weather information.
“Keeping thousands of people safe at more than 30 events each year is no small feat. I am proud that our experienced meteorological team and industry-leading forecasting technology can continue to help the LPGA keep fans, players and staff safe,” said Jon Reifschneider, vice president and general manager, Weather at Schneider Electric.
Schneider Electric’s experts are available for interviews and/or bylined articles about lightning and weather solutions, available for clients ranging from athletic organizations to public utilities. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.
