12/08/2013

McDowell Goes Well Off Course

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Graeme McDowell's has enjoyed  much corporate sucess since joing  Horizon Sports Management six years ago and enjoys long-standing relationships with Mastercard, BMW, RBC, Verizon, Ecco, Audermars Piguet, Teneo and Srixon.

"Once they get to know Graeme, every sponsor wants to stick with him," says his agent Conor Ridge, adding: "Put him in front of a corporate audience and he's absolute dynamite, while it's humbling to see how well he relates to people on a one-to-one basis.

"He might meet someone for the first time in months, but will remember where their kids are going to college or ask if they've managed to cure that hook or slice they were struggling with," adds Ridge. "Graeme's very intelligent, smart and quite a good businessman himself."

Among his own business projects, McDowell opened the Nona Blue Bistro this year and says: "We've had a lot of fun. At the minute, it's just a hobby.

"I'd have aspirations to get more involved in the future," he adds.

While McDowell got caught in the crossfire when McIlroy quit Horizon and launched into a legal battle with the Dublin firm, he recently insisted his friendship with the Holywood native remained intact.

"I'm very close to both parties, but it hasn't affected any personal relationships," he explains.

"The fact I'm stuck in the middle of a legal matter is a tough scenario – it's tough for everyone. But as far as I am concerned, Rory and I will always remain competitors, colleagues, peers and friends. I care a lot about what he does; I care a lot about how good he is and that'll never change."

The G-Mac Foundation, run for McDowell by Horizon co-founder Colin Morrissey, has been working closely with Eamon Coghlan, head of the American arm of the 'Children's Medical Research Fund' for Crumlin Children's Hospital, since the two sports stars first met at The Players Championship in Sawgrass in 2011.

McDowell has played a hands-on role in helping Coghlan organise the annual 'Best of Ireland' Gala Dinner at New York Athletic Club, which in two years has raised $1m for the Intensive Care and Recovery Units at the Dublin hospital.

Next year's banquet takes place on January 30 with Paul McGinley, David Feherty, Robbie Keane and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan among the guests of honour. McDowell was especially attracted to Crumlin because it is the children's coronary care unit for the entire island of Ireland.

The G-Mac Foundation also brings, with support from Aer Lingus, eight sick children and their families to Orlando each year for a lifetime trip to the Disney World Resort.



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