Cisco partnership

The R&A and Cisco today announced a new multi-year partnership focused on delivering critical AI networking infrastructure to the organisation and its iconic Championships.

As the Official Network Supplier of The R&A and its Championships, Cisco will deploy its AI-ready secure network architecture at The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, as well as at The R&A’s new global headquarters in St Andrews, opening later this year.

The deployment will provide fans on-site at the Championships secure, reliable end-to-end connectivity, while delivering the tools organisational stakeholders need to support world-class experiences across broadcast, scoring, facility management and more.

The R&A’s purpose is to open golf to the world, and it works to unite, inspire, and lead golf globally through its various initiatives. Cisco’s AI-ready network infrastructure and advanced solutions will help ensure that The R&A remains a global leader in the sport by:

• Delivering Cisco secure networking to help The R&A meet growing AI-era demands, such as increased bandwidth requirements due to emerging AI applications and future device loads.
• Bringing high-speed, high-performance wireless to some of the world’s most prestigious golf championships, ensuring that critical functions like scoring, broadcast, media and facility management remain connected and secure.
• Benefitting fans on-site at The Open and the AIG Women’s Open with enhanced Wi-Fi across the course, including in highly trafficked areas such as concessions and merchandise.
• Modernising and future-proofing The R&A’s new global headquarters to help the organisation continue to deliver on its mission to strengthen and preserve the game of golf.
• Providing The R&A with greater visibility and insights across their digital footprint, allowing them to monitor their networks, crowd flow and facility operations in real-time, identifying issues before they occur and remediating instantly as needed.

Neil Armit, chief commercial officer at The R&A, said: "Cisco's expertise and world-leading technology will help strengthen the foundations that underpin our Championships and organisation.

“From supporting the critical technology operations at The Open and the AIG Women's Open to enhancing connectivity for fans, broadcasters, players and media, this partnership will help us deliver world-class experiences while ensuring that they remain secure, resilient and future-ready.

"As we prepare to open our new global headquarters in St Andrews later this year, Cisco will also play an important role in creating a modern, connected workplace for our staff and stakeholders.

“Together, we are investing in the infrastructure and innovation that will support our long-term purpose to open golf to the world."

The R&A’s new global headquarters for its staff based in St Andrews will deploy Cisco’s AI-ready secure network architecture, enabling the organisation to move faster, secure and simplify its operations, and scale to support future device loads and AI applications. The technology deployment includes:

• Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 7 access points
• Cisco C9350 Series Smart Switches built on Cisco Silicon One
• Cisco Firewalls
• Cisco cloud-managed smart cameras
• Cisco Collaboration Devices

“As AI transforms every industry, sports organisations need the right technology foundation to harness its full potential,” added Gordon Thomson, President, Cisco EMEA.

“Together with The R&A, Cisco is proud to help create a more connected, secure and intelligent future for golf – one that respects the traditions of the game and embraces what’s next.”

Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s ongoing investment in golf, as seen through partnerships with leading organisations, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA); Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour and Stephen Curry’s UNDERRATED Golf Tour; events, including the APGA Cisco Invitational and the APGA Billy Horschel Invitational presented by Cisco; and the ambassadors on Team Cisco across the PGA, LPGA and APGA Tours.