De Vere, the UK’s leading luxury golf resort chain, has partnered with two of Britain’s most celebrated athletes. Record-breaking Olympic Rowing champion, Katherine Grainger, and Scotland Rugby legend, Gavin Hastings, join a plethora of young European Tour professionals, including Matthew Baldwin and Matt Nixon, as well as De Vere Club members Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and model Sophie Horn, as ambassadors for De Vere.
Grainger, Britain’s most successful female rower was one of 12 athletes nominated for the revered 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. A six-time World Champion, Katherine became the only British athlete in history to claim a medal at four consecutive Olympic Games after claiming gold at London 2012. She will represent Village Urban Resorts, a stylish and integral twenty-five strong network within the extensive De Vere Group portfolio.
Hastings meanwhile, is a former Scotland and British Lions Rugby Captain, widely considered as one of the best players in the history of the sport. A keen golfer throughout his rugby career, Hastings’ current 5-handicap demonstrates his natural sporting ability. Gavin will work with De Vere to promote the brand’s twelve golf resorts, including the likes of Slaley Hall, The Carrick on Loch Lomond and iconic Ryder Cup venue, The Belfry. Gavin will also support De Vere’s unrelenting charity work and support of ISPS Handa’s work with disabled golfers.
“I’m delighted to be working with De Vere; the brand is synonymous with golf. I’ve played The Carrick and Slaley Hall quite a few times in recent years and they’re both great venues. And of course, everybody loves going back to The Belfry, thanks to its tournament history and Ryder Cup connections,” noted Hastings.
“The thing that has impressed me most has been De Vere’s ambition and enthusiasm. I’ve been involved in multiple De Vere golf days and it’s clear to me that they’re a forward-thinking company that is dedicated to innovation – a great example being the success of the De Vere Club membership championed by Freddie. I’m also delighted to be associated with a brand that is heavily involved in charity fundraising and the development of the sport at grass roots levels.”
Daniel Hodson, De Vere’s Director of Golf, is delighted to welcome Grainger and Hastings, “Katherine and Gavin are both highly-motivated, active individuals, that also like to wind-down and relax in between their busy work and training schedules. They are the perfect fit for De Vere as they typify the friendly, but stylish atmosphere that each of our venues offer. Furthermore, their drive and persistence has enabled them to reach their full potential in their athletic and professional careers. We hold similar values within golf and leisure, with our commitment to deliver service excellence and memorable experiences for our guests.”
Representing 12 venues and 19 golf courses, the De Vere Group has set new standards since the introduction of the innovative, flexible De Vere Club membership in 2010. The membership has welcomed over 10,000 members including Freddie Flintoff, Harry Redknapp and Sophie Horn. Offering members the opportunity to play all De Vere courses across the UK for an annual fee of £295, the De Vere Club ensures golfers’ memberships reflects their lifestyle by offering value for money, variety and flexibility.
A third, soon-to-be announced, sporting legend will complete the 2013 De Vere ambassador line-up.
De Vere www.devere.co.uk/golf