By Garry Smits
Ben McClung and Jose Buezas decided their professional golf careers weren't going much further than mini-tours.
Now, instead of playing championship golf courses, they're capturing aerial shots of the courses on video, with the use of a small remote-controlled helicopter that weighs all of 15 pounds but might be worth much more than its weight in business.
McClung, a Jacksonville resident who played golf at Vanderbilt, and Buezas, a native of Argentina, have formed Sky Golf Productions. With the use of their two small copters (named O.B. 1 and Provisional 2) that have a video camera attached, they buzz golf holes at a low altitude to create flyover shots for use on a facility's web site or, in this week's case, shots of the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course on NBC and The Golf Channel.
It's cheaper than renting a real helicopter, and much more practical. Fans and players noticed O.B. 1 flying over the 18th hole Tuesday but it created only a slight buzzing noise as it flew back and forth from tee-to-green and landed on top of the hill overlooking the 18th tee.
Buezas explained that the TV networks wanted shots with fans and players on the hole. He and McClung had already filmed all 18 holes of the Stadium Course since last June, and have edited two hours of video to 20 minutes of flyover shots.
"We're getting a little attention today," McClung said. "But it's a lot more practical than a real helicopter, and you couldn't land one of those on this hill."
The two met while playing on professional tours and got the idea when discussing how many features of a golf course that can be missed by relying only on a yardage book.
"There's a lot about a course people can learn by watching this kind of video," McClung said.
Here's an example of their work at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.
Buezas and McClung wouldn't reveal the cost of one of the helicopters, saying it would reveal proprietary information. They also wrote the software and made the modifications to the helicopter to keep it stablized enough in flight to get the video.
Buezas controls the copter and McClung runs the camera, both by remote-control. They can get feedback on the shots as soon as they bring O.B. 1 back to its landing area, and said it's not uncommon to get what they need in one take.
While it's a business, neither will deny there's an aspect of fun involved. Buezas was interested in remote-controlled planes as a kid and perfected the technique for flying their copters in Argentina.
"That's where he crashed a few," joked McClung.
"We do have some little kid in us when we're doing this," Buezas said. "It's like playing a video game or playing with a remote-control plane or helicopter."
Sky Golf won't be doing just golf courses. The company will videotape any property's features, from commercial to residential real estate.
But they hope to do most of their business videotaping venues used by the PGA Tour.
Now, instead of playing championship golf courses, they're capturing aerial shots of the courses on video, with the use of a small remote-controlled helicopter that weighs all of 15 pounds but might be worth much more than its weight in business.
McClung, a Jacksonville resident who played golf at Vanderbilt, and Buezas, a native of Argentina, have formed Sky Golf Productions. With the use of their two small copters (named O.B. 1 and Provisional 2) that have a video camera attached, they buzz golf holes at a low altitude to create flyover shots for use on a facility's web site or, in this week's case, shots of the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course on NBC and The Golf Channel.
It's cheaper than renting a real helicopter, and much more practical. Fans and players noticed O.B. 1 flying over the 18th hole Tuesday but it created only a slight buzzing noise as it flew back and forth from tee-to-green and landed on top of the hill overlooking the 18th tee.
Buezas explained that the TV networks wanted shots with fans and players on the hole. He and McClung had already filmed all 18 holes of the Stadium Course since last June, and have edited two hours of video to 20 minutes of flyover shots.
"We're getting a little attention today," McClung said. "But it's a lot more practical than a real helicopter, and you couldn't land one of those on this hill."
The two met while playing on professional tours and got the idea when discussing how many features of a golf course that can be missed by relying only on a yardage book.
"There's a lot about a course people can learn by watching this kind of video," McClung said.
Here's an example of their work at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.
Buezas and McClung wouldn't reveal the cost of one of the helicopters, saying it would reveal proprietary information. They also wrote the software and made the modifications to the helicopter to keep it stablized enough in flight to get the video.
Buezas controls the copter and McClung runs the camera, both by remote-control. They can get feedback on the shots as soon as they bring O.B. 1 back to its landing area, and said it's not uncommon to get what they need in one take.
While it's a business, neither will deny there's an aspect of fun involved. Buezas was interested in remote-controlled planes as a kid and perfected the technique for flying their copters in Argentina.
"That's where he crashed a few," joked McClung.
"We do have some little kid in us when we're doing this," Buezas said. "It's like playing a video game or playing with a remote-control plane or helicopter."
Sky Golf won't be doing just golf courses. The company will videotape any property's features, from commercial to residential real estate.
But they hope to do most of their business videotaping venues used by the PGA Tour.
No comments:
Post a Comment