Intent on bringing the Houston Open back to Memorial Park Golf Course, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) reached out to the Houston Living Lab (HLL), Milestone Systems, and their technology partners for assistance in designing and installing a security upgrade on par with the PGA Tour. In 2019, the Astros Golf Foundation began a $34 million renovation of the historic course and related facilities, including security upgrades.
After 57 years, the Houston Open returned in 2020 to Memorial Park Golf Course. Over 60,000 patrons visit the renovated 18-hole, 600-acre course annually. Operated by HPARD, it is now the second PGA-certified municipal golf course in the U.S.
Implementing Park-Wide Safety Measures
With so many visitors, several security initiatives were implemented to meet safety needs
The PGA golf course is just one attraction within Houston's 1,500-acre Memorial Park, visited by nearly four million people annually. The park features facilities for tennis, softball, swimming, track, croquet, volleyball, skating, cycling, and a nature center. Popular walking and running trails loop through the wooded areas.
With so many visitors, several new security initiatives were implemented to meet safety needs. A 911 trail marker system now quickly alerts first responders to emergencies. Signposts with geographic addresses help users relay their exact location to officers.
Security upgrades
The Houston Police Department utilizes off-road monitoring and a camera access system for easy park surveillance. The Department's Central Patrol can directly access security camera footage as required.
Yet even with these measures in place, additional golf course security upgrades were needed for the PGA Tour's return. Top concerns included assuring the safety of hundreds of players, event staff, and thousands of spectators during the Houston Open. Managers also wanted to deter vehicle break-ins and criminal mischief like tampering with public property. A fast and efficient way to notify golfers and fans of park closures and weather alerts was also needed.
Houston Living Lab helps Vet Video Technologies
The Houston Living Lab became an R&D facility and real-world testing ground for security integrations
With no existing security infrastructure at Memorial Park Golf Course, HPARD turned to the city's security integrator, Teksys, and HLL to determine the best surveillance solutions for the Houston Open. After rapidly deploying video technology with Milestone Systems and manufacturers for Super Bowl Live in 2017, the Houston Living Lab became an R&D facility and real-world testing ground for security integrations. The lab helps city entities evaluate solutions and enables partners to validate technologies in an active setting.
“The Living Lab has a team of trusted public and private partners who analyze sites around Houston and help determine suitable technologies for locations and their needs,” said Jack C. Hanagriff, former program manager at the City of Houston's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Milestone's XProtect Pro+ VMS platform
Hanagriff added: "So, when the Houston Open became a publicly hosted event, we had to look at the security footprint differently because the clientele changed from just a small number of amateur golfers to thousands of spectators watching PGA pros. The Houston Living Lab was instrumental in helping us vet various technologies and initiatives.”
For the golf course security upgrade, Teksys recommended Milestone's XProtect Pro+ VMS platform for its ability to easily integrate unlimited cameras. The Milestone XProtect open platform VMS supports over 13,000 security devices from hundreds of leading manufacturers, including network cameras, storage, access control, analytics, emergency call boxes, and more.
Open Platform Ecosystem Enables Versatile Solutions
Milestone offered versatile VMS and analytics tools tailored to the golf tournament's security needs
The course is also using Milestone XProtect License Plate Recognition (LPR) to detect and link vehicle plate data with video. For the Houston Open, XProtect LPR helps staff track parking lot vehicles in real-time. If thefts occur, LPR data can help law enforcement track suspicious vehicles. With its open platform and integrations, Milestone offered versatile VMS and analytics tools tailored to the golf tournament's security needs.
“Milestone enables a small security team to handle large crowds at the golf course,” said David Madrigal, president at Teksys. “The system effectively provides situational awareness across the course and in potential problem areas in the parking lot, quickly alerting security staff to issues.”
Alarm management functions
For the project, Teksys installed a set of IP network cameras from Axis Communications throughout the golf course, including various compact PTZ dome, high-zoom, and panoramic cameras. Several cameras were installed outside the clubhouse, covering the vehicle and golf cart parking lots.
Several cameras were seated past the clubhouse, hiding the vehicle and golf cart parking lots
Other cameras overlook the driving range as well as certain holes throughout the golf course. The alarm management functions within XProtect work with Axis Network Horn Speakers, making it easy to communicate with golfers and spectators about important weather alerts or park closures.
Milestone's open platform
Using Acre Comnet technologies (formerly Razberi) intelligent appliance combined with automated cybersecurity and health monitoring software, the golf course can reduce the likelihood of a costly cyber breach. Verizon supplied the fiber infrastructure, wireless backhauls, and connected broadband sites to the core network to ensure connectivity for the Axis cameras. Dell Technologies workstations allow administrators to review video data in real-time.
"More and more devices are coming out that can really enhance a video surveillance network, to make it smarter and to get that extra information," said Madrigal. "Milestone's open platform is helping customers adapt those new sensor technologies to become more effective and efficient."
