Golf gets makeover with short-format teams-based event

A new short-format golf event modelled on cricket's Indian Premier League will debut in Australia next year with 10 city-based teams, including the Bangkok Blades, Dubai Kings and New York Tigers, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Ultra Golf Championship, designed to turbocharge the sport, is played over nine holes with four-player teams that include a marquee captain.

No names have been announced, although local reports said world number two Scottie Scheffler of the United States and Australian world number three Cameron Smith were being targeted.

The unique scoring system will reward risk-taking, with 10 points for a hole-in-one, eight for an albatross, six for an eagle, four for a birdie, and two for a par.

There will also be four feature hole opportunities that must be used, including a longest drive, power-play, alternate-shot and best-ball, where more points can be accumulated.

Teams will play seven rounds and a final series over four days.

Australia is about to witness a revolutionary new golf format with a new teams-based event, the Ultra Golf Championship, set to be launched following next season’s major tournaments.Read more: https://t.co/kt0kxwZnth pic.twitter.com/hhXBQ07saU

The concept is the brainchild of Deke Smith, with the Australian PGA serving as a promoting partner and sanctioning body.

"For more than five years, we've been working on the UGC as a short-formed, strategic and tactical golf tournament," Smith said in a statement released through the Australian PGA.

"We are appealing to a wider fan base, giving people a new way to consume their golf, sport and entertainment, and we think that it's a great way to grow the game of golf.

"We see this concept appealing to a younger audience because we will see a