BMW Golfsport engages a global audience
The ever-increasing number of people actively playing golf and the huge potential for future golfers is a glowing testament to the positive development of the game. Today, more than 70 million people play golf worldwide. Many millions more follow the professional tournaments, whether on the Asian, European or US PGA Tour.
In Germany, the game of golf is experiencing something of an image makeover - from an elite sport to an accessible, fun and attractive pastime. The spectator figures on the golf courses and in front of TV screens have shot up over the past 20 years. This boom looks set to rise even further in future. Back in 1989, BMW's decision to make its first commitment to the game of golf with the BMW International Open 1989 was both far-sighted and trend-setting. Today, this commitment, which is built on one harmonious global concept, has been successfully extended throughout the world and won international recognition. BMW has always concentrated on supporting - or, when organiser, implementing - premium golfing events, and the company will continue to pursue this strategy in the future. Golf reflects BMW's image perfectly. It is a sport that stands for exclusivity, aesthetics, perfection and sophistication - just like BMW's models.
BMW Asian Open
The BMW Asian Open is held between the 24th and 27th of April 2008 for the seventh time. The Chinese city of Shanghai and the exclusive 18-hole course at the Tomson Golf Club, Shanghai Pudong, has been the venue for the tournament since 2004.
Defending champion: Raphael Jacquelin
BMW PGA Championship
BMW has been the partner and sponsor of this historic event at the Wentworth Club near London, England, since 2005. The contract with the European Tour was extended in February 2007 to 2010 and also broadens BMW's commitment as "Official Car of the European Tour".
Defending champion: Anders Hansen
Date: 22nd - 25th May 2008
BMW Ladies Italian Open
BMW has been actively involved in ladies' golf since 2004. As the title sponsor of the BMW Ladies Italian Open (with prize money of 400,000), the automotive group is supporting one of the most prominent ladies' golf tournaments in Europe. This year at the Sheraton Golf Club Parco de Medici near Rome it was Trish Johnson who played a 66 on the last round for a total of 15 under par and walked away with the victory.
Defending champion: Trish Johnson
Date: 17 - 20 July 2008
BMW International Open
This tournament, which attracted more than 50,000 spectators last year and boasts a prize of 2 million, is traditionally held at the prestigious Golfclub Munich Eichenried, which is in the city of the company's headquarter.
Defending champion: Niclas Fasth
Date: 19th - 22nd June 2008
BMW Championship
The BMW Championshipis the core of a six-year partnership agreement of BMW with the PGA TOUR and the Western Golf Association (WGA). The event - the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff tournaments that culminate the new FedEx Cup competition, debuts in, 2007.
The inaugural BMW Championship has been played the week of September 3rd - 9th, 2007 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois. The BMW Championship will be played in St. Louis at the Bellerive Country Club in 2008 andreturn to Chicagofor three consecutive years beginning in 2009. Host for the BMW Championship 2012 is the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indianapolis.
Defending champion: Tiger Woods
Date: 4th - 7th September 2008
Location: Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis
(China Daily 04/23/2008 page27)
