The Vancouver Island Regional Library is launching its first competitive eSports golf tournament, called #VIRLShowdown, in April.
The eSports Golf Showdown is a partnership between the library system, which serves an area from Sooke to Sointula, and Lazarus Esports, a gaming and entertainment platform company. Sponsors include the Bear Mountain Golf and Tennis Resort Community.
Anyone with a VIRL library card can enter for free, with gamers able to win cash and prizes. Some players will even have their play live-streamed to a global audience during the showdown.
Jason Kuffler, sales and marketing officer for VIRL, said the initiative is a way to bring attention to the “plethora” of digital resources already available at the library. “Libraries have a reputation for being at the forefront of change and disruption,” Kuffler said. “With our push into eSports, Vancouver Island Regional Library is tapping into a growing network of players, platforms and potential new library fans. As a library system, we are all about reducing barriers, expanding access, and opening doors.”
The library chose golf due to the sport’s popularity and its long history in the region. Golf also presented the library system with a number of corporate sponsors, which helped underwrite the costs of setting up the eSports tournament.
Proceeds from the tournament will go to Gamers Outreach, which provides hospitalized children with video-gaming platforms during their stay. The units will be donated to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island for distribution.
The event is free to participate in and is open to all ages. Registrants must have a VIRL library card to play. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Play gets underway April 20, with qualifying rounds lasting until April 27. Those with the top four combined fewest strokes will qualify for the live-streamed #VIRLShowdown on May 2, where first place takes home $2,500, second place $1,000 and third $500.
parrais@timescolonist.com
• For more information, go to virl.bc.ca/esportsshowdown
Note to readers: The Vancouver Island Regional Library has changed the dates of the event. This story has been updated to reflect that.
