Ambitious plans to create another breakaway golf tour are expected to be formally unveiled before the end of the month.
The Turkmenistan-backed ‘WIV Golf’ is expected to be launched in 2025 and a number of details have been leaked to golfnews24.co.uk.
The brainchild of prominent Turkmen shipping magnate Hudi Knicanideerdov, no players have been signed up as yet but it is understood that central to WIV’s strategy is pitting men against women, while also inviting ‘legends’ of the game to compete on an ‘age handicap basis’.
A WIV Golf insider told golfnews24.co.uk: “Mr Knicanideerdov has assembled a crack team of industry specialists and social media clever dicks.
“However he is planning to push the boundaries of taste. Golfing traditionalists will hate it but he believes there is a market for something radical. This will be entertainment. Mr Knicanideerdov is a music lover too so he is hoping to combine much of his passion for thrash metal and golf.”
WIV Golf would certainly have a number of USPs. Some of its more out-there ideas include:
• A 96-hour thrash metal concert to take place behind the 18th green during the 4-round events.The likes of Stormtroopers of Death, Toxic Holocaust, Municipal Waste and Anthrax have been invited to become regular performers
• Jokers to be available so a degree of difficulty can be added to a playing partner’s shot. Each WIV Golf player will get one joker per round and will have the option of making their opponent:
i) Take any shot with a putter
ii) play a shot wearing a blindfold after spinning them around 3 times
iii) hit a drive while the crowd shout absurdities at the top of their backswings. Encouraged phrases include ‘mashed potato’, ‘chicken, chicken dinner’ and ‘Frank Nobilo’
• Elevated Jacuzzis behind every tee that can be hired by spectators
• Bonus points for chip-ins
• Micing up every player but the competitors will not be told when and where their audio output will be used
• Changing hole locations mid round
• A helter-skelter hour. After a claxon sounds, for 60 minutes there will be no waiting for other golfers to finish and players will be encouraged to hit on to greens while others are putting out. Each WIV Golfer will carry a specially designed helmet and upper body padding
WIV Golf is believed to be in discussions with a number of TV companies regarding a 12-event calender.
The insider added: “If nothing else this will be the biggest thing on The Turkmenistan TV Channel.. and probably Uzbekistan as well.
“We have been talking to a number of venues but the non-stop, four-day thrash metal concert does appear to be a bit of a sticking point.”