PowerPlay Golf: Interview with World No. 7 Paul Casey
April 24, 2011

What do you like about the PowerPlay Golf format?
“I think the fact that PowerPlay Golf brings down the cost of playing is good for the game. It also eliminates the need to lengthen courses and places more importance on strategy and shot-making and those are elements of the game that in recent years have sadly been lost. Most of all I think PowerPlay Golf will be great fun, it’s the sort of golf I like to play away from tournament conditions when I’m just having a friendly knock. I’ll often make a casual game more exciting by having a few friendly wagers like who can get it closest to a tight pin. Attacking golf is my style of golf; I like the challenge, the risk and the drama.”

Do you think the shorter time frame of PowerPlay Golf is going to have a big appeal?
“Without doubt, I love the time frame of PowerPlay, 3 hours for all 12 players is great. I’m a swift player and I’ve lost count of the number of tournament rounds I’ve played in excess of 5 hours. My first round at Augusta National last week took five and a half hours in beautiful weather conditions – there is simply no need for that. I wish we pushed harder on Tour to regulate the speed of play. It seems like slow play has become acceptable, nobody feels pressurised about it and we’re not pushed to speed up. The only place we play where speed of play is hotly monitored is Japan. Over there it is seen as an embarrassment to be a slow player. You’ll even see players who get put on the clock running between shots to catch up time. Three and a half hour rounds are the only pace acceptable.”

What lessons can PowerPlay Golf teach the typical amateur golfer?
“PowerPlay Golf will teach you a lot of lessons about course management and strategy. There’s a huge value in learning this risk and reward format of the game. PowerPlay Golf is just a short form of the tournament conditions and pressure we are under every week in an 18-hole round. Strategy is a huge factor in any round of golf, you have to pay attention to the way the course is set up, where the pin positions are, the length of holes and decide what places to attack and when to play safe. PowerPlay Golf is basically like having all the emotions and stress of a 72-hole championship in just 9 holes and from a TV viewer’s point of view that will be very exciting.”

Why should golf clubs embrace the PowerPlay Golf format?
I think that PowerPlay Golf is a brilliant opportunity for golf clubs that are in decline to have a new lease of life. It can turn a relatively bland 9-hole course into an exciting one. It’s perfect for clubs with tired-looking courses that are looking for revitalisation.”

You have pledged £20,000 to the English Golf Union if you win first prize in the PowerPlay Golf launch event Ignition. How important is it to you to be able to give back to those in the game who helped you as an amateur?
“Extremely important. The English Golf Union gave me so much support as a young lad growing back. I can still remember my last Walker Cup back in 1999 - Peter McEvoy was my captain, he’s still the best captain I’ve ever played under and I think his PowerPlay Golf concept is a brilliant idea. The EGU were a huge support to me in my amateur days so being able to give something back to the game is a pleasure. I’m happy to dip into my pocket and donate £20,000 to the game but I don’t just want it to be a financial gesture, I’m hoping to meet with the kids and talk to them, inspire them.”