Musco's temporary lighting systems were once again put to use as play extended beyond daylight at ABC's
6th annual Monday Night Golf event, The Battle at the Bridges. Tiger Woods and Hank Kuehne came from behind to post
a 2 and 1 victory over the Phil Mickelson / John Daly team. The one-round, two-player best ball
duel was held at Mickelson's home course, The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego, California.
Musco has worked with ABC each year to provide lighting for this event. Producers use the
temporary lighting systems as a precaution in case play continues after sunset. This year, Musco set up lights at the
15th green and three holes: #16, #17, and #18. The match ended at the 17th hole when Mickelson
and Daly missed birdie putts that would have extended play to the 18th. Musco also illuminated the RF balloon, the ABC
production compound and the clubhouse.
Four Musco Lights™, one Mini-Muscos™, 17 portable units and
Light-Bars™ will produce 573,000 watts of light – three times the amount
of light that would typically be used for high quality golf lighting.
There are unique challenges to lighting this type of event. The lighting design must consider placing lights out
of the way of the golfers, work around trees or other obstacles that could throw shadows, and yet achieve sufficient
light for broadcast requirements. Technicians need to aim the lights to accommodate camera locations so the lights
will pick up the flight of the ball without the lights showing in the camera shot. Lighting placement for this year's
event provides added challenges. To preserve the landscaping, seven of the portable units will be set in place by
helicopter.
Musco and ABC – a winning team
Musco and ABC have worked together for over twenty years bringing sporting events to prime time television, starting
with the first night college football game at Notre Dame in 1982.
Musco also provides television lighting for the Road to Williamsport Little League regional finals and the Little League
World Series. ABC will broadcast the U.S. championship game and the World Championship game in prime time Saturday and
Sunday, August 28 and 29. ESPN will cover the regional finals and World Series pool play, beginning August 7.
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