International audiences have eyes on Manulife LPGA Classic

CTV Kitchener: International attention In addition to the golfers, fans and volunteers, media from around the world are at the Manulife Classic. Tyler Calver has the story.

This year’s Manulife LPGA Classic is bringing 150 golfers and an expected 60,000 spectators to North Dumfries.

It’s also expected to provide a $10-million bump to the Waterloo Region economy.

Those numbers would be impressive enough on their own, but they don’t take into account the international media attention the tournament is receiving.

All four rounds at Whistle Bear Golf Club are being broadcast to American audiences on The Golf Channel.

Golf Channel Japan also has a crew on-site, to report on the five golfers from that country teeing it up in the LPGA this year.

“The Japanese media likes to follow good players,” Golf Channel Japan reporter Mitsuki Katahira said in an interview.

“The superstars come to play on the American tour. We want to follow them.”

For bigger tournaments on the LPGA calendar, there can be more than 20 members of the Japanese media present.

The number in North Dumfries is considerably smaller. Still, Katahira’s network expects a large enough audience that they’re recording the action – which largely takes place during the overnight hours in Japan – and televising it later in the day, when a bigger audience is expected.

Golfer Ai Miyazato likes knowing that she has cameras watching her game and sending the best – and worst – moments back to audiences in Japan.

“I have quite a few fans back in Japan. I think it’s a really good thing,” she said.

With reporting by Tyler Calver