Episode 7: PGA TOUR Innovative Uses of Data Science and AI Solutions

Episode 7: What do Elegant Data Science and AI Solutions have to do with Sports Analytics?

Hosts:
Drs. Dan Richard and Karthikeyan Umapathy

Guests:
Mike Vitti
Senior Vice President, Data & Decision Sciences
PGA TOUR

Jacqueline Shelly
Statistician
PGA TOUR

Description:
Sports have always been associated with data and statistics, from batting averages to detailed historical win-loss records. Contemporary data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods have birthed new approaches to sports analytics. Data about athletes both before and after recruitment have expanded, and data about how to enhance the experience for fans continues to grow in number and sophistication. In this episode of hDim, we will discuss with Mike Vitti and Jacqueline Shelly of the PGA TOUR about the demand for and the elegant use of data analytics in sports. We will discover the hidden dimensions of simplicity among complexity in working with athlete and marketing data.

Discussion Questions:
* What was your pathway to getting involved with sports analytics, and what do you see is on the horizon for those who are interested in this area of sports?
* As you think about the complexity of working with sports data, what have been some simple and elegant solutions that have meaningfully impacted your work?
* How do you balance the technical and human aspects of your work in sports analytics? What strategies would you recommend for others who want to pursue this as a career?
* How do you "thread the needle" of providing useful information for data-driven decision-making without overstepping or overstating the accuracy of your predictions?
* What is one thing that would make your data science/AI dreams come true?

hDim Podcast:
Many data scientists are beginning to discover hidden value and broader impacts of their work. The Hidden Dimensions (hDim) podcast seeks to uncover the perspectives, values, and techniques that give data science work meaning in an ever-changing and connected world.

We believe quality data science is collaborative and connects relevant data and powerful technology tools with mindful consideration of the human element and meaningful community engagement.

The hDim podcast is produced by the Florida Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG) program at the University of North Florida (UNF).
https://dssg.unf.edu/

Recording Date: June 28, 2024

Podcast video produced by:
Andy Rush, Creative and Course Media Developer
UNF CIRT Video Studio
https://www.unf.edu/cirt/creative-Vid...

The title music is taken from Shake It by Aakash Gandhi available on YouTube Audio Library.
   • Shake It