O2 Golf LIVE the latest addition to the UK golfing calendar more than lived up to its expectations when it launched last weekend at Stoke Park. 11,132 golfing enthusiasts from around the country flocked to the venue in Buckinghamshire to be treated to inside the ropes access into the glamorous world of professional golf.
As a completely new concept in the world of golf, those lucky enough to get tickets for O2 Golf LIVE were treated to a unique opportunity to engage and interact with Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, International Tour Stars, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen and Catriona Matthew, golf’s leading instructors David Leadbetter and Denis Pugh, as well as a whole host of celebrities and TV golf presenters.
In addition to getting up-close and personal to the some of the most renowned names in the world of golf, visitors were treated to a jam-packed daily schedule of activities ranging from Instructional Masterclasses on all facets of the game, the opportunity to test the latest equipment on the market, spectacular trick-shot displays as well as 3-hole Celebrity-Pro Challenge matches that saw the likes of Vernon Kay, Jodie Kidd and DJ Spoony tee it up alongside the professionals. There was also an entertaining and humorous All Star Play Off grand finale that concluded each day’s activities.
Already organisers, Brand Events, have been overwhelmed by glowing feedback from members of the golfing public, exhibitors and key figures in the golf industry who were unanimous in their praise for the game’s newest and most innovative golf event.
Commenting on behalf of Brand Events, James Goode, the Company’s Event Director said: “We are delighted with the success of the first staging of O2 Golf LIVE and the positive response from the golfing public and exhibitors to the whole concept, so much so that we have already started planning for 2011.”
Event Ambassador Colin Montgomerie stated: “This puts other golf shows in the shade,” and he admitted that he enjoyed interacting with members of the public, hosting a number of Masterclasses, taking part in the daily Grand Finale matches and giving spectators an insight into his Ryder Cup preparations.
Commenting on behalf of O2 Golf LIVE partners, IMG, Guy Kinnings, its Director of Golf for Europe, Asia and the Middle East said, “We are absolutely delighted with the success of the inaugural O2 Golf Live show and in my opinion will become an annual fixture in the UK golf schedule and will hopefully soon be replicated worldwide.”
A large number of exhibitors were also quick to pronounce O2 Golf LIVE a massive success.
“The first O2 Golf Live proved to be an outstanding event with great activities and opportunities for us to interact with golfers keen to learn and buy! It was so successful that we needed to bring in extra stock due to the exceptional demand,” commented Sue Page, Callaway PR & Events Manager.
“Golf Live proved an overwhelming success for both Golfbreaks.com and Teeofftimes.co.uk,” said Steve Hemsworth, Managing Director, Golfbreaks.com. “The Golfbreaks.com bar served as focal point within the hub and gave us the perfect platform to interact with a large number of avid golfers on their golfing holidays and tee time bookings. Our daily competition to win a £1,500 luxury golf break prize proved a massive hit, with Sunday’s winner sealing his prize with a drive over 100 yards off a 4ft tee with the trick shot master, Jeremy Dale, a superb way to win a luxury break to Turnberry.”
Andrew Grose, Managing Director of Bushnell Performance Optics UK Ltd, was equally enthusiastic: “We found the event very exciting as it offered us great exposure and business for our Bushnell Laser product. There was a wonderful atmosphere and visitors seemed to be enjoying themselves. The access to the pros was a very special experience for everyone.”
In addition to O2, which signed up as Title Sponsor, O2 Golf LIVE was also endorsed by the European Tour, Golfbreaks.com, Jaguar, Oki, Sony, Garmin, Tommy Hilfiger and Media Partners, The Daily Telegraph and Bauer Consumer Media.
O2 Golf LIVE www.golfliveevent.com