Nouvelles WGT Golf

In Tyler's first video blog post covering the Virtual U.S. Open, he introduces himself and gives a brief introduction of the tournament and prizes. You can also subscribe to our Virtual U.S. Open channel on YouTube to get the latest: http://www.youtube.com/user/virtualusopen

We made some updates to the product today, and here are the highlights:

The Virtual U.S. Open 2009 has begun!

The Virtual U.S. Open Qualifying Round runs from May 25 to June 21. Experience what it would be like to play on one of the most challenging golf courses in the world under championship conditions: Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, NY. The US Open is the toughest test in golf, and everyone hits from the same championship tees, so you will find it challenging to reach some of the fairways and greens. But don't worry, with some clever course management you find a way to break par.

Players from all eligible countries have unlimited chances during this period to post a score that makes the cut into the Championship round on June 22nd. Only the top 156 scores plus ties will qualify for the Championship Round. On June 22nd, those who qualify will compete in a single play 18-hole round on Bethpage Black, where they have just one chance to score the round of their life and become the 2009 Virtual U.S. Open Champion. The champion will take home the trophy and earn a trip to the 2010 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach. Click here for details

New Tiers Added

We have added two new tiers: Pro and Master. This will improve the groupings so that players compete against those of similar ability. Depending on your ranked game scores the system will automatically place you in one of four tiers: Hack, Amateur, Pro or Master.

New Virtual Clubs Available in the Pro Shop

Fill your golf bag with the latest golf technology. The new gear includes the TaylorMade R9 driver, TaylorMade Burner hybrids and irons with steel and graphite shafts, the TaylorMade Z TP wedges, PING G10 irons with graphite shafts, the Lynx LX 5 Driver, and SnakeEyes wedges. Shop now

Putter Distance Selector

You now have the flexibility to choose the maximum distance of your putter. In the distance indicator, you will notice up and down arrows. Click these to select 30ft, 60ft, or 150ft putting lengths for more control of your shot.

Wind Adjustments

Based on your feedback, we have made some adjustments to the wind. It should not affect putting as much, and should not be as noticeable except for the higher shots. Please let us know what you think of the changes in our Forums.

Putting Grid Change

Now when you engage your swing meter during putting, the putting grid becomes invisible. Please let us know if you notice an improvement in swing meter performance. Players who prefer to have the putting grid turned on at all times should go to the Options Menu and set it to "On".

New Advanced Settings in Option Menu

When you go to the Options Menu in the game, there is a new Advanced settings tab where you can turn your avatar rotation and background loading on or off. Turning off your avatar rotation may improve loading times, and turning off your background loading may improve swing meter performance. These settings are recommended for players with slower systems.

Bug Fixes

• Flag removal - you should no longer experience a problem with flag removal during putts. We fixed a bug where the game mistakenly thinks you are on the fringe when you are in fact putting.
• Hit the pin award - you should begin receiving Hit the Pin awards again

Thanks to everyone who entered our Virtual U.S. Open 2009 Video Blogger Contest! We were excited to see such on-screen talent among our players, and had a great time looking through the entries. After much consideration, the winner of the video blogger contest is...

Tyler DeZubay, AKA Hotwir3! Here is his winning submission, where he covers April's Play with Parker 18-Hole Open:

Tyler is a full-time college student and hails from Charlotte, North Carolina. He enjoys hockey, real and virtual golf, and in additional to being our video blogger this summer, he is also volunteering at a hospital and coaching little league hockey. "I hope to provide insight and report on the Virtual U.S. Open and the U.S. Open at Bethpage in order to add to the well-established WGT community," he says.

We'd also like to say a special thanks to the two runners up, Bennett Fink (bfink) and Corey Hodges (OBXGOLFER18), who blew us away as well and made it a very hard decision for us.

Please check out Tyler's video blogs in the coming weeks to get the latest news on the Virtual U.S. Open 2009, and to show support for one of our own!

The qualifying round of the Virtual U.S. Open 2009 starts May 25, and we hope you've been practicing for it in the April and May Closests-to-the-Hole tournaments. Another tool that can help you get an edge are these video tutorials narrated by Peter Kessler, covering topics like "How to Choose the Right Club" and "How to Read Your Lie". Have fun practicing!

Check out this radio interview with USGA's Director of New Media, in which he discusses the Virtual U.S. Open and how great it is to play Bethpage Black online in hi-def!

Thanks to you, we reached an important milestone this weekend--100 million balls hit at WGT! We look forward to bringing you more courses and features in the coming months, so keep on playing!

Sincerely,
WGT Team

The "Play with Parker" Tournament ends April 30th, so enter now if you haven't already. Winners of this 18-hole stroke play tournament will play a round of golf with PGA Tour Pro Parker McLachlin on his home course at TPC Scottsdale! Airfare, two-night hotel stay, and spending money included. US and Canadian players are eligible. See tournament rules for full details.

We have launched a nationwide search for a video blogger to cover the 2009 Virtual U.S. Open and practice rounds at the actual 2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black in New York. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any golfer or sports fan!

The best entries could include: coverage of the leaderboard, replays of some great shots, interviews with players, commentary on some challenging holes, and an overall ability to create excitement and drama in a similar fashion as real sportscasters.

Be sure to tag your video with "2009virtualusopen_contest_yourwgtusername" (example: 2009virtualusopen_contest_golfer09)—videos not tagged in this way will not be considered.

The winner and two runners up will be announced on May 21, 2009. Don't delay, get started now!

Important Dates:

• May 11: Deadline to submit video entry
• May 21: Winner announcement
• May 25 - June 23: 2009 Virtual U.S. Open
• June 15 - 19: 2009 U.S. Open practice rounds at Bethpage Black

For the latest on the video blogger search and other WGT news, click here.

You must be 18 years or older and a United States resident, have a valid WGT.com account, and have completed at least three game rounds at WGT.com between October 1, 2008 and May 11, 2009 to participate in the 2009 Virtual U.S. Open Championship video blog promotion. If you participate in the video blog promotion you will not be eligible to register for, or participate in, the 2009 Virtual U.S. Open Championship. One winner will be selected by WGT in its sole discretion. If you are selected, WGT will reimburse you for a ticket to attend the 2009 U.S. Open Championship golf tournament and related travel expenses. There is no other compensation for the video blog and you bear all production costs. WGT will have exclusive rights to your video blog. We can decide whether or not to publish your blog and may edit it or use excerpts of the blog in our promotional materials. Your participation is subject to the terms of WGT's then-current video blogging agreement.

Did you choose the wrong country when you registered at WGT, only to find that you cannot enter tournaments in which your country is eligible? Or did you move recently and need to update your account? You can update your country yourself by going to: https://www.wgt.com/user/contactinfo.aspx and clicking on the green "Change Mailing Address" link. Be sure to click the "Update" button underneath when you are done. Hope this helps!

The April Virtual U.S. Open Closest-to-the-Hole Challenge is available to play! USGA has teamed up with World Golf Tour and New York's Bethpage State Park to host the inaugural Virtual U.S. Open. A nine-hole skill contest of the Bethpage Black course is available on USOpen.com for you to test your skills for the upcoming Virtual U.S. Open Championship. The winner of the nine-hole skill contest will receive a U.S. Open flag signed by a 2009 U.S. Open player.