Mercedes-Benz announce partnership with the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf
Melbourne, AUS – Tournament officials announced today Mercedes-Benz as the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf’s premium partner and official vehicle when the tournament is held at Kingston Heath Golf Club on 23-27 November.
The partnership will see Mercedes-Benz and its fleet of first-class vehicles dedicated as player and key staff transportation throughout Melbourne in addition to the brand being showcased throughout numerous engagement and interactive programs as the world’s top players come to Australia for a rare and unique two-man team competition.
“The ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf is one of the most iconic and prestigious events on golf’s global stage and we are thrilled to align with a premier partner and official vehicle in Mercedes-Benz that carries the same historic and distinguished reputation,” said Executive Director Matt Kamienski. “Mercedes-Benz is known for combining luxury with performance, a theme we feel describes the experience for all involved at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf. We feel very fortunate to partner with Mercedes-Benz and find new and unique ways to help them showcase everything that makes their vehicles special.”
In addition to having a fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles as courtesy cars for players and staff, Mercedes-Benz is will continue its strong presence in the world of professional golf and will enjoy an amplified presence both on-course and off with an interactive engagement area in the Tournament Village, a Hole-in-One competition on the 15th and the return of the Mercedes-Benz Hospitality Suite, “MB Green”.
As part of their customer loyalty initiatives, Mercedes-Benz owners will also be provided with their own designated parking area located in A Carpark on Pietro Road off Kingston Road. Parking is complimentary for all customers who drive to the event in their Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Horst von Sanden, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chief Executive Officer Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific, commented on the partnership: “Worldwide, Mercedes-Benz is the proud partner of three major tournaments; The Masters Tournament, The Open Championship and The PGA Championship and we are heavily involved at an amateur level with our global MercedesTrophy premium amateur tournament series. I am delighted to further enhance our brand’s golf engagement with one of the sports most prestigious tournaments, the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf.
There is no doubt that the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf tournament fits nicely with our local and global golf strategy as it is aligned with the very best tournaments around the world and has attracted some of golfs’ biggest names.
Over the years we have fostered partnerships with some of golf’s most high-profile events and players. We’re immensely proud of our long standing involvement with golf, from the first tee to the final putt Mercedes-Benz is dedicated to the perfect drive.
We are looking forward to our partnerships with the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf.”
The 2016 World Cup of Golf will return to a 72-hole, stroke play, two-man team event format where the teams have the rare honour of playing for and representing their country. The first and third days of competition will be the foursomes (alternate shot) format and the second and final days are fourball (best ball) play.
The top teams to watch in the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf field include:
· Team Australia – Adam Scott returns to help Australia in their defense of their 2013 World Cup of Golf title. With Jason Day unable to return, Scott will team with a familiar face in Marc Leishman, who was paired with Adam Scott when he won the U.S. Masters.
· Team USA – Jimmy Walker, winner of the U.S. PGA Championship earlier this year, will team with perennial top-10 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, Rickie Fowler as the two Ryder Cup partners pair back up to try to bring home another team title to the United States.
· Team England – 2016 U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett chose his friend and renowned international player Lee Westwood, who despite having 41 victories worldwide will play in his first-ever World Cup of Golf.
· Team Japan – Arguably the hottest player on the planet this fall, 24-year-old Hideki Matsuyama has put together quite the October with a victory at the Japan Open followed by a runner-up finish at the PGA TOUR’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia and capped by a victory at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions becoming the first Asian player to win a World Golf Championships event. Matsuyama selected fellow young star Ryo Ishikawa to make up a formidable Japanese team.
The field overall includes;
· 27 Olympians
· 18 past participants of either The Ryder Cup or The Presidents Cup
· 6 players from the 2016 Ryder Cup in Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, Danny Willet, Lee Westwood, Cabrera Bella and Thomas Pieters
· 3 players in the top 10 and 17 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking
· 3 past World Cup of Golf champions – Adam Scott, Francesco Molinari and Bradley Dredge
All four days of the tournament will be broadcast live on the Seven Network from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Free entry is available for children under the age of 16 accompanied by a paying adult. For ticket and general event information please visit www.worldcupofgolf.com
