“Hamilton County and the City of Westfield have been by far the most welcoming and helpful group we’ve been around. The support of Hamilton County Sports Authority has been exceptional. This has been the best community we’ve worked with during our time with LIV.”
It doesn’t get much better than those words from Tim Flaherty, one of the five partners of Par5 Group, which has been an operations partner of LIV Golf since 2022. Flaherty, fellow partner Doug Habgood, and Par5 Group have been on the ground in Westfield on and off for 10 months. When the August 15 shotgun start sounds, Par5 Group will have 20 people calling Hamilton County home.
Habgood noted the local organizing committee approach in Hamilton County, a model that’s long been successful in attracting and executing sports events in Indiana. Habgood noted the increase in brand awareness and the ease of attracting 700 volunteers with minimal promotion.
“The local organizing committee has gotten us very organized and given us a lot of great resources,” Habgood said. “And this is just the beginning, we’re raring to go all the way through this event.”
An Indy-themed fan village and two concerts have been the highlights of fan engagements. Normally, LIV Golf would have one concert, but Flaherty said a second show was added to meet the community’s demand. As Flaherty said, “We saw the demand and doubled down here.”
Habgood said LIV Golf’s hospitality spaces sold out in 24 hours, calling it “unprecedented for LIV Golf.” He said the success of this location has reached the highest levels of LIV Golf, and they realize this will be among their biggest events. Which is fitting, as the 2025 individual championship will be determined here, with Joaquin Niemann in the lead and Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau in close pursuit. Niemann has won four tournaments this year, but Rahm is in the top 10 in every single tournament.
“Inside the ropes, play is going to be very exciting,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty and Habgood describe an active scene, unlike many previous golf championships, that local fans would see. Music playing, close access to action, and the convenience of a shotgun start are all fan-friendly elements that enhance the experience. Habgood compares LIV Golf to Formula 1 racing, combining team and individual leaderboards and podium ceremonies. Tracking the action in LIV Golf almost feels like tracking a race, and that format will be right at home in Central Indiana.
For fans watching at home, Habgood says the FOX broadcast is “unlike anything you’ve ever seen.” Drones and extra camera angles, and extra mics all add to the viewing experience.
In totality, LIV is open to all ideas, and Par5 Group is the partner who brings them to life. They’ve found a great partnership and home in Hamilton County. Flaherty and Habgood noted they’re already talking about LIV Golf in Hamilton County in future years, looking at “a multi-year relationship.”
