Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion and one of today’s globally renowned golf course designers and ambassadors, has confirmed his participation at the 2016 HSBC Golf Business Forum at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, from 28 November – 1 December.
Arguably the greatest champion in the game’s history, Nicklaus enjoyed a spectacular playing career that spanned five decades and was decorated with 120 professional tournament victories worldwide and a record 18 professional major-championship titles, along with another record eight majors on the Champions Tour. The legacy Nicklaus has left as a player can be rivaled only by the legacy he is leaving as a thriving golf course designer, businessman, ambassador, and philanthropist.
As a legend of the sport, Nicklaus’ attendance at the HSBC Golf Business Forum enhances the already exciting and packed agenda, where the game’s most influential voices, leaders, decision-makers and global innovators will gather.
“I am delighted to welcome the HSBC Golf Business Forum to Florida and, along with everyone at Nicklaus Design, I am looking forward to attending the Forum,” Nicklaus said. “Since I began playing the game in the early 1960s, my goal was to introduce and grow the game in every corner of the world. I was blessed to be able to do that not only as a competitor, but with a parallel career designing golf courses. While I no longer play golf as a competitor, I am still very active and passionate about design and our industry’s collective efforts to grow this great game.
“The business of golf is a very important topic in America and around the world, and I will be particularly interested to hear everyone’s thoughts. I would think everyone who attends the event is in for a fascinating few days as we focus on the topics that are critical to the game today and tomorrow.”
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, said, “Jack Nicklaus is a true legend of the sport and we’re delighted to welcome him to this year’s HSBC Golf Business Forum. As the premier meeting place for golf’s most influential decision-makers, it is fitting that someone of Jack’s stature should contribute to discussions as we head to America for the first time in the Forum’s history.”
Nicklaus, who was named GOLF Magazine’s Architect of the Year at the start of 2015, has been involved in the design of almost 300 courses open for play worldwide, and his thriving business, Nicklaus Design, has 405 courses open for play in 41 countries and 39 states. No fewer than 140 Nicklaus Design courses have hosted close to 900 professional tournaments worldwide or significant national amateur championships. As many as 100 Nicklaus Design courses have appeared in various national and international Top-100 lists. The firm currently has projects under construction or under development in 22 different countries.
Jack was also the “Global Ambassador,” along with women’s legend Annika Sorenstam, for golf’s unified campaign to gain inclusion into the Olympic Games. That goal was realized when the International Olympic Committee added golf to the 2016 Olympic Program, and in August the game witnessed the global impact, as six combined medals for men and women went to six different countries.
Attendees of the two-day event will learn from keynote speakers; take part in thought leadership and networking sessions; and play the famous TPC Sawgrass Stadium course on 1 December.
For further details and inquiries associated with attendance, engagement and brand exposure of the HSBC Golf Business Forum, please contact – Georgina.Sangster@img.com.
HSBC Golf Business Forum www.golfbusinessforum.com