GOLF DOCUMENTARY
‘THE BACK NINE’ READY
FOR NATIONWIDE THEATRICAL
RELEASE ON JUNE 25

After playing to critical acclaim at film festivals throughout the country “THE BACK NINE,” the inspirational and entertaining movie that takes you into one man’s devotion to divergent paths in his life, will open for theatrical release June 25.

Co-directed by Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker Jon Fitzgerald, who is the subject of the movie, “THE BACK NINE” will open in select golf communities in 23 states, from California to New York to Florida. While the movie was shot on HD digital cameras, it will naturally play in digitally equipped theaters.

“This is pure digital, which anyone who has seen golf in HD, can appreciate. The action comes to life,” Fitzgerald said. “When it comes to distribution, we’re pushing the boundaries with the digital approach. Everybody was in complete agreement that this format was the only way we could make this film and stay consistent in bringing it to audiences.”

Digital Attractions is releasing “THE BACK NINE” under a new distribution model that will utlimately bring the film to over 300 screens by the end of their theatrical run. Producers plan to release “THE BACK NINE” on DVD and video-on-demand (VOD), as well as pursue other avenues of new technologies. Along with the festival screenings, the multi-platform distribution system provides a targeted approach to reach the film’s intended audience of golfers and families.

“Digital Attractions is extremely proud to release Jon Fitzgerald and Ron Vignone's
film, 'THE BACK NINE’ to theatrical audiences across the country, launching our Documentary Series,” said Greg Rutkowski, CEO of Digital Attractions. “The enthusiastic film festival reception is a clear indication of the quality the filmmakers have achieved and we are anxious to share their work with moviegoers everywhere."

The high-tech, digital presentation presents an old-fashioned story familiar to fathers and sons of all generations. With celebrities such as George Lopez, Meat Loaf and Chris O’Donnell helping bring the action to life, “THE BACK NINE” documents Fitzgerald’s quest to the answer of the question of how he balances a full-time job and family commitments with an enduring dream he’s had as long as he can remember – to play professional golf.

Being a filmmaker himself, Fitzgerald brought on award-winning filmmaker Ron Vignone as co-director and decided to film the adventure, a journey that poses the question: Can an average 42-year old golfer, husband and father of two become an elite athlete?

Can he do it after beginning his own “back nine?” And once he starts the journey, what will become of his dream?

Fitzgerald couldn’t wait to find out and he left nothing to chance in assembling the best team he could find to stack the cards in his favor. He brought in distinguished PGA Professional instructor Tim Suzor of the Kinetic Golf Academy in Scottsdale, AZ to work on his swing, distinguished author Dr. Joe Parent (Zen Golf) to work on his mental game, and yoga guru Katherine Roberts – a Golf Channel favorite – as well as a team of physical coaches to help with fitness and nutrition.

The strategy works, as Fitzgerald sees his handicap go from 15 to 8 in the first year. Ready to test his progress, he joins Golf Channel’s Amateur Tour and remarkably, manages to win his first event. Later, he receives an invitation to the National Championships in Orlando, Fla.

Fitzgerald currently plays to a 4 handicap as he works on fine-tuning not only his game and his life, but his dream through “THE BACK NINE.”

The film covers this inspirational journey from many angles, beyond merely tracking his golf progress. Fitzgerald must also come to terms with who he is, balancing the experience and guidance of his two father figures – polar opposites as people and influences in his life. Now with children of his own, Fitzgerald senses an opportunity.

Recognizing where his life’s mentors have fallen short, Fitzgerald sees his turn at fatherhood as a chance to “break the cycle” and establish a new approach to life, family and golf. “THE BACK NINE” presents the challenges inherent with finding the right balance between Fitzgerald’s personal and professional goals.

In addition to the family storylines, Fitzgerald found a way to involve them in the production. With a marketing background, his wife was able to secure sponsorships, including Cutter & Buck as an apparel partner and putting green manufacturer Synlawn to install a putting green in their backyard. Meanwhile, his 7-year old daughter composed and performed a major theme used throughout the film.

A co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and former Director of AFI, Santa Barbara and Middle East International Film Festivals, Fitzgerald put his film festival background to good use. The film has generated a great deal of buzz at film festivals in such golfing hotbeds as Newport Beach, Ca, Delray Beach, Fla., and Saugatuck, Mich., where it has played to critical acclaim. Fitzgerald and co-director Vignone scheduled the June release date to not only coincide with Father’s Day, but capitalize on the interest in golf surrounding the U.S. Open.

“If my dreams come true, I will eventually qualify to play in a U.S. Open: the only Major where this is possible because anybody can qualify,” Fitzgerald said. “As for Father’s Day, there is a major father/son theme throughout the movie, so it was natural for us to release the film around that day.”