STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE...
Official correspondence on the Links series from Microsoft

Armchair Architect Contest Media Alert (Oct 29th, 2001)

LINKS DIGITAL ARMCHAIR ARCHITECT WINS TRIP TO PLAY GOLF WITH SERGIO GARCIA

Microsoft today announced the winners of the Links 2001 Digital Armchair Architect Course Design Contest, which was co-sponsored by Golf Digest and ran from May 15 though August 31, 2001. Mark Franzoia's entry, "Crouching Beast," was chosen by a panel of expert judges from both Microsoft and Golf Digest. Franzoia wins a trip for two to play golf with pro superstar Sergio Garcia on the winning course, then the two will tee up on a real course.

Steve Pope captured the first runner-up prize for his creation, titled "Prestige Golf Club." For his effort, Pope receives a visit with real-life golf course architect Dr. Mark Hurdzan to play a round of golf. The second runner-up, Greg Stout, received a complete set of Pro-line golf clubs for his work on "Pacific Ridge." The winning designs and finalists' courses are now available from sites listed in the "Downloads" section of the Links Country Club (http://www.linkscountryclub.com).

Contestants used the Arnold Palmer Course Designer (APCD), the most powerful 3D course design software available, to build their entries. The APCD is included in Links Championship Edition, the most comprehensive edition of the best-selling Links franchise. Players can experience the unmatched realism of the award-winning Links 2001 as they tee off on 13 of the world's finest championship courses, including four completely new courses: Oakmont Country Club, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the Frankfurter Golf Club, and the Robert Trent Jones Trail - The Judge Course at Capitol Hill. Links Championship Edition offers gamers a host of favorite tour players, including Sergio Garcia, Annika Sorenstam, Mike Weir, and more -- as well as new golfer animations and personalities, customizable club distances that allow for an even more accurate re-creation of a player's actual game, and faster and easier online play. Players are able to design their dream course, tweaking every inch of fairway with the APCD, and creating tunnels and arches with full control over each point on the course. Over 400 fan courses created with the APCD are available free of charge online. (For a list of sites, visit www.linkscountryclub.com under the "Downloads" section.)

For more on Links Championship Edition, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/linkschamp/