Onlinegolf is providing all the prizes for nearest-the-pin competitions at each of the Volvo in Golf events, while Nike Golf is supplying the Nike ONE ball, caps and shirts to all of the competitors who make it through to the final stages of the events.
Nike equipment is also up for grabs as prizes in each of the competitions. In addition, golfers using the Onlinegolf website can click through to enter the Volvo Matchplay Championship for the special price of £30 instead of the normal £40.
In a reciprocal arrangement, two Nike Golf technical representatives, who travel around the country staging demo days at golf clubs and driving ranges, have been supplied with seven-seater, four-wheel drive Volvo XC90s.
Duncan Forrester, head of public affairs, events and sponsorship for Volvo Car UK, said: “We have enjoyed a winning partnership with golf for more than a generation and this is a great new way for us to reach an even larger amateur audience.
“Nike is one of the leading brands in the world of golf and the relationship is obviously of mutual benefit.”
Angus Moir, Nike Golf’s EMEA sales director added: “We have come a long way as an authentic golf brand in a short space of time and the partnership with Volvo in Golf and Online Golf clearly shows that fact. We are delighted to be able to bring Nike Golf’s award winning equipment and apparel to a wider audience.”
The Volvo brand is synonymous with golf having been a major sponsor of the European Tour for more than 25 years. More recently, Volvo has supported the amateur game with the Volvo Masters Amateur Tour enabling thousands of amateur golfers throughout the UK to compete on some of the world’s most renowned courses.
The Volvo Masters Amateur (VMA) also runs throughout the world, culminating in the VMA World Final which in 2009 was staged at Finca Cortesin, Spain, in October.
For 2010, Volvo’s golf programme is being enhanced by the addition of the new Volvo Team Tour which will tee off at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire on May 12. While competitors will enter in pairs and the scoring format will be combined Stableford there is an interesting twist in that the order of merit will run on an individual basis enabling players to choose different partners at the various events.
One of the brand’s most significant developments for 2010 is the sponsorship of the Volvo Matchplay Championship, formerly known as The Daily Telegraph Wilson Matchplay Championship and now in its 15th year.
The Matchplay Championship has always proved popular with more than 4,000 club golfers entering annually and the prospect of a five-day trip to the luxurious Vale do Lobo resort on the Algarve awaits the grand finalists.
Volvo amateur events www.volvogolf.co.uk
Onlinegolf www.onlinegolf.co.uk
Nike Golf www.nikegolf.eu