Calidona and Glenmuir Complete 'a real beacon for golf' Sponsorship

The sponsorship support of CALIDONA and GLENMUIR in enabling the PGAs of Europe to stage its climax of the year in the ever-expanding golf destination of Murcia, Spain, was paid a remarkable compliment by Ken Schofield at the Annual Gala Dinner. The association president, who became one of the sport’s most experienced officials in the world of golf sponsorship during 30 years as executive director of the European Tour, cited the PGAs of Europe’s arrangement with Calidona and Glenmuir as among the best he had ever encountered.

"I've experienced many sponsorships, at many events, in many parts of the world," he said. "But this relationship between the PGAs of Europe, Calidona and Glenmuir is a real beacon for golf."

As a result of the contribution made by each of these bodies the following ideal package was achieved:

* Calidona provided the Dave Thomas designed championship Roda course and adjacent villa accommodation for the players in a whole comprehensive package of ¤40,000 sponsorship towards the ITC, plus financial and staging support, including hotel rooms, hospitality and transport..

* Glenmuir helped to underwrite the necessary prize fund and smart, uniform clothing for the tournament staff.

* The PGAs of Europe attracted a record entry of three-man teams from 28 countries around Europe and as far away as Mexico, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

* As icing on the cake, in staging the congress and ITC, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust provide essential financial support to the Annual Congress which enables the delegates to enjoy a heavily subsidised package.

Ian Randell, chief executive of The PGAs of Europe, later endorsed the president's comments: "The wholehearted enthusiasm of Bruno Dureux, the General Manager of CALIDONA, matching that of Colin Mee and Glenmuir , has been a major factor in securing for us this annual home for the team championship, congress and awards night.

"Calidona's impact on the special week in the last two years has been quite dramatic... there had been a degree of uncertainly about where it (the ITC) would be staged in the future.

"Thanks to Calidona and Glenmuir, this has been replaced by stability and continuity in an area with an ideal winter climate that is certain to continue to grow as a golfing destination. The network of fast new roads and expanding airports at Murcia and Alicante make the region increasingly accessible from all over Europe.

"By next year the new club house will be open and the creation of an excellent 5-star De Vere hotel will be well advanced. Also, in due course, the new facilities at Corvera will be available. What more could one ask?

"Any PGA pros from our member countries that have not visited Roda are recommended to do so, and to take advantage of the academy facilities, on-site accommodation and the special packages on offer for staging golf clinics."

(Extracted from Working Together Issue 17, January 2008)