NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- GPS Industries, Inc. ("GPSI") (OTCBB:GPSN), a leading innovator of Wi-Fi wireless and GPS-enabled multimedia communications and management solutions for golf courses, resorts, sporting events and residential communities, today announced that The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (The R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have both approved rule changes allowing the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS-based systems, in professional tournaments.
The official acceptance of GPS technology by The R&A (established in 1897) and The USGA (established in 1952) validates the vision GSPI has been building for the golf's future. GPSI has acquired essential intellectual property rights and owns the Patents for golf course GPS/DGPS technology in the 15 major golfing countries throughout the world. "We control the patents to this emerging new technology," says Silzer. "As this $38 billion industry upgrades and installs GPS systems, we will be collecting fees almost every time a golf ball is hit anywhere on the planet."
The R&A and the USGA are the two largest governing bodies in the golf world, and their decisions affect all golf played in North America and Europe. "Yardage information is already available through caddies, printed course guides, distance markers by fairways and from sprinkler heads, so to outlaw these devices seemed no longer reasonable," David Rickman, Director of Rules and Equipment Standards at the R&A.
Historically, their decisions have set the tone for the rules of golf worldwide. GPS systems had been excluded from tournament play until now; however, this rule change indicates the golfing industry is embracing GPS technology at the highest level. It will now allow golf facilities to monitor the pace of play as well as players being able to ascertain exact distances without having to look for yardage indicators on the fairway. "This rule change literally takes our product from the dark ages into a future with limitless possibilities," says GPSI CEO Robert Silzer. "We have quickly advanced from being a very good idea, to becoming the standard for the golfing industry."
Market penetration for the GPS product is now essentially assured as this decision indicates acceptance of this relatively new technology by the golfing world. "The largest and most respected governing bodies of golf have decided that GPS systems are now the future of golf, and we are positioned to bring that future to the world," says Silzer. GPSI's recent substantial increase in sales reaffirms the company's dedication to providing the best platform for this new technology with orders coming in worldwide from the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe. "This is great news for our company, and great news for the golfing world, as we truly believe our products enhance the game, and bring more enjoyment to golfers," says Silzer.
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The Royal and Ancient Golf Club
The R&A is golf's world rules and development body and organizer of The Open Championship. It operates with the consent of more than 125 national and international, amateur and professional organizations, from over 110 countries and on behalf of an estimated 28 million golfers in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas (outside the USA and Mexico). The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the game's governing body in the United States and Mexico. For additional information on the R&A please visit www.randa.org
GPS Industries, Inc.
GPS Industries, Inc. (GPSI) develops and markets GPS and Wi-Fi wireless multimedia solutions to enable managers of golf facilities, resorts, sporting events, and residential communities worldwide to generate significant new revenue streams and improve operational efficiencies. The company's unique and patented Inforemer(TM) product line provides a complete GPS golf business solution, combining a powerful backend management information system and revenue generating modules with mobile color handheld or cart-mounted Differential GPS units, seamlessly connected via a wireless, high-speed Wi-Fi network. For additional information on GPSI and its solutions, please visit www.gpsindustries.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: The Company's ability to raise finance; global and market conditions within the golf industry; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; the timing of new product introductions; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection for the related intellectual property; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.