BMW, one of The European Tour’s most significant partners, will lend support to the Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland by becoming the Official Car to the event at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club in Co. Kerry from July 28th - 31st.
For the first time in the Irish Open, the prestige car manufacturers will provide a gleaming fleet of brand new BMW 5 series vehicles to transport the player, VIP guests, sponsors and officials to and from the golf course during one of the Tour’s most illustrious championships.
Since 1985, BMW has promoted amateur and professional golf tournaments internationally, taking into account the growing significance of golf for its customer base. The leading premium car manufacturer has been an important partner of The European Tour since the BMW International Open was launched in 1989.
In 2005 BMW and The European Tour further extended their already strong partnership with BMW taking on title sponsorship of the Tour’s flagship event, the PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Of course, BMW Ireland also has a close affinity with Ireland from 2006, when the company became Official Car to The Ryder Cup at The K Club in Co. Kildare.
This highly significant development for European golf meant that BMW became a partner of three tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule, namely the BMW PGA Championship, the BMW International Open and, until 2008, the BMW Asian Open, in addition to being the Official Car of The European Tour. In 2009, BMW further extended its partnership with the European Tour with the first BMW Italian Open.
Michael Nugent, Sales & Marketing Director, BMW Ireland, said: “We are very pleased to be associated with this prestigious sporting event. It is very important right now that an event of this nature with its international profile presents Ireland in its best light and we are delighted to make our contribution to ensure a successful outcome.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, commented: “BMW is one of the Tour’s most important Partners, currently supporting three key events on The Race to Dubai. We are indebted to BMW Ireland for providing the vehicles for this specialist service, facilitating the transportation of players, VIP guests, sponsors and officials to and from the golf course during the week.”