New Kodak Challenge on PGA Tour in 2009

Kodak has decided to get involved with the PGA Tour. This is kind of bizarre, but it basically is the equivalent of the Dream 18 that you can create in the Tiger Woods video games.

The Kodak Challenge begins in January 2009. Select PGA TOUR tournaments will feature a Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to be eligible to win. Players will post their lowest score relative to par on 18 of the Kodak Challenge holes to compete for the Kodak Challenge title and $1 million.

The Kodak Challenge holes will be selected by Kodak and the PGA TOUR with input from an Advisory Board made up of representatives from a cross-section of the golf industry. Holes will be selected based on their aesthetic beauty and their connection to memorable moments in the game of golf. The first one -- the par-3 17th at Warwick Hills -- was announced Wednesday and the rest will be released later this year.

The members of the Kodak Challenge Advisory Board are:
• David Feherty -- CBS Sports golf analyst
• Rees Jones -- renowned golf course architect
• Jules Alexander -- renowned golf photographer
• Andy Pazder -- PGA TOUR Senior VP, Tournament Administration
• Lance Barrow -- CBS Sports golf, Coordinating Producer

Jon Show at Sports Business Daily follows up with this note about the Advisory Board:

Despite the lack of NBC involvement, Kodak Chief Business Development Officer Jeff Hayzlett said tournaments on that network are also under consideration.

I mean, it sounds kind of interesting. We'll just have to see how it plays out. But, I am almost certain that Tiger Woods cannot win this unless they rig it so that Kodak Challenge holes appear at the majors and WGCs - with at least two on one course.