2014 European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley and LPGA Golfer Beatriz Recari Announce Allianz Golf Camp at ‘Home of Golf’, St Andrews Links
· The inaugural Allianz Golf Camp will take place at St Andrews Links September 14-18, 2013
· 15 young golfers will undergo professional training with their mentors at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy and learn from LPGA player Beatriz Recari, in a 5-day golfing adventure
· Applications are now open at the new online gathering point for golf fans, facebook.com/AllianzGolf
On the heels of the golfing world’s gathering at Muirfield for The Open Championship, Allianz has announced a new mentoring program giving young golfers around the world the chance to take part in a special 5-day golfing adventure at St Andrews Links. The “Allianz Golf Camp” is designed to celebrate the power of mentoring in golf and will take place at the ‘Home of Golf’ in Scotland from September 14-18, 2013.
Players wanting to take part must register their application via facebook.com/AllianzGolf before August 19, 2013. A total of 15 pairs – each consisting of one young novice and their respective adult mentor – will be chosen by the Allianz golf mentors, 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley, and Beatriz Recari, LPGA and LET Tours player. The announcement comes days after Recari captured her third career title on the LPGA Tour.
Recari, recently announced as an ambassador for Allianz, will attend the camp to provide training and expert tips alongside professional coaches from St Andrews Links Golf Academy. McGinley, a long-time golf ambassador for Allianz, has extended his involvement and will share his experience and knowledge with fans via the online gathering point, facebook.com/AllianzGolf. Both pros are passionate about helping Allianz open golf to new audiences, especially young people.
“I am delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Allianz Golf Camp 2013,” said Paul McGinley. “I really encourage everyone who mentors or is mentored in golf to apply now for the chance to train and play at St Andrews Links. I first became interested in golf thanks to my dad and we both in turn pass on what we know to my children, making golf a real family affair for the McGinley’s. So I know first-hand just what a powerful thing mentoring can be in opening golf up to a new generation of player.”
“Golf is a great sport because it is one of the few that has no boundaries – it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, young or old, expert or amateur, there is something for everyone,” says Beatriz Recari. “I am thrilled to help announce the Allianz Golf Camp 2013 because it’s a unique opportunity for people to apply together for a once-in-a-lifetime golf adventure. I can’t wait to meet everyone at St Andrews Links in September; I’m looking forward to sharing what I know and maybe learning a few things myself!”
The Allianz Golf Camp is part of a new global initiative from Allianz, called “Live life in full swing”. Allianz is a passionate supporter of golf as a way of sharing quality time with friends and family, recognizing that in a fast-paced world, golf can help people stay healthy while also providing many added social benefits.
“We are delighted to announce the Allianz Golf Camp, which will be an exciting event open to everyone in the global golfing community. Golf inspires us, because it is not only a great sport, but also a way to spend quality time together and strengthen social bonds. For Allianz, the power of community and sharing is something we believe in. That’s why the Allianz Golf Camp will see experienced golfers playing and training together with youngsters: sharing their experience and inspiring each other. Along with our partner St Andrews Links, we look forward to welcoming our winning golfers to Scotland in September,” said Dr. Christian Deuringer, Head of Global Brand Management, Allianz SE.
The Allianz Golf Camp can be entered at facebook.com/AllianzGolf. Either the adult mentor or the young novice can apply to enter on behalf of the pair, nominating themselves as a team for the event. The winning pairs will receive professional training from St Andrews Links Golf Academy and the chance to play against each other and Beatriz Recari in a real tournament. They will also get a look behind the scenes at the ‘Home of Golf’, enjoy a cultural program and meet golfers from around the world.
Steve North, Director of Instruction, St Andrews Links Golf Academy said: “St Andrews Links is delighted to be working hand-in-hand with Allianz to launch the Allianz Golf Camp 2013. It’s a unique mentoring approach and the open nature of how golfers can qualify from around the world certainly speaks to the heart of what we stand for at St Andrews Links – helping inspire a new golf generation and making the game of golf accessible to everyone.”
Allianz, one of the world’s largest financial communities, is already a very strong supporter of golf globally. Alongside the partnership with St Andrews Links, Paul McGinley and Beatriz Recari, Allianz is also a partner of St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany, creator and organiser of the very popular junior golfing initiative, Lucky 33. This year Allianz also announced partnerships with the Women’s British Open 2013 (1-4 August) and the Solheim Cup 2015, the most prestigious women’s golf event in the world.
Applications for the Allianz Golf Camp are currently open and will run until Monday, August 19, 2013. To enter novice golfers must be aged 13-17 years and golf mentors must be 25+. Both players must have a handicap to qualify. The pairs will also be asked to describe what makes their team so special. The camp itself will take place from September 14-18, 2013. To enter visit facebook.com/AllianzGolf.
About Allianz
Together with its customers and sales partners, Allianz is one of the strongest financial communities. Around 78 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz’s knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help them make the most of financial opportunities and to avoid and safeguard themselves against risks.
In 2012, around 144,000 employees in over 70 countries achieved total revenue of 106.4 billion euros and an operating profit of 9.3 billion euros (restated on January 1, 2013 due to a change in accounting standard and presentation). Benefits for our customers reached 89.2 billion euros.
This business success with insurance, asset management and assistance services is based increasingly on customer demand for crisis-proof financial solutions for an aging society and the challenges of climate change. Transparency and integrity are key components of sustainable corporate governance at Allianz SE.
About St Andrews Links
The game of golf as we know it today originated at what is now the Old Couse at St Andrews Links. On this narrow strip of land extending out into the Eden Estuary from the ancient town of St Andrews, golf was first played in the 14th Century. More than 600 years later and the Home of Golf is Europe’s largest public golf complex, home to seven public golf courses and more than 230,000 rounds of golf each year.
Since 1974, St Andrews Links has been responsible for the management and maintenance of the courses at the Home of Golf as well as preserving the Links history of excellence, innovation and inspiration for future generations.
St Andrews Links manages a number of additional facilities including three clubhouses, a golf academy and five shops, including the flagship Tom Morris store, which is the global headquarters of a new British lifestyle apparel collection inspired by the heritage of the founder of the modern game of golf.
Our vision is to develop the Links as the most renowned golf complex in the world, delivering unique and memorable experiences for golfers to Play, Learn, Shop and Relax.
We are committed to managing the world’s most famous Links in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.
About Beatriz Recari
Beatriz Recari, a winner on both the LET and LPGA Tour is currently at a career high No. 24 on the Official Rolex Rankings. In 2012 she played 27 events and made a phenomenal 27 cuts and in 2013 she began the year with two top five finishes before winning the Kia Classic in a thrilling play-off. She will not only be the main female face of Allianz’ social media and digital golf programme this year, but will also be a mentor for the Allianz Golf Camp 2013.
About Paul McGinley
Paul McGinley has a fine track record as a leader in team golf and in January 2013 was announced as Captain of the European Team for The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. He played an instrumental role as one of José María Olazábal’s Vice Captains in the magnificent 2012 Ryder Cup victory at Medinah Country Club, and was also pivotal in the 2010 win under Colin Montgomerie. McGinley has always been passionate about the team format and played in three consecutive successful Ryder Cup Teams from 2002, the year he holed the winning putt. Whether it is The Ryder Cup, Vivendi Seve Trophy, World Cup or Royal Trophy, he has been on a winning team for all of them. In 2009 and again in 2011 he captained Great Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe in the Vivendi Seve Trophy. A winner of four European Tour titles, his best campaign to date came in 2005, during which he finished runner-up three times before concluding a wonderful year with a victory in the Volvo Masters. McGinley might have had a career in Gaelic football but a broken knee cap when he was 19 put paid to that dream, and he had a sixth knee operation towards the end of 2009. He played in the 1991 Walker Cup – beating Phil Mickelson and Bob May alongside Liam White – and gained his European Tour card on his first visit to the Qualifying School later the same year. He continues to help shape The European Tour as a member of the Tournament Committee. Alongside Beatriz Recari, Paul is the main male face of Allianz’ social media and digital golf programme this year.
