Having your lunch plans changed at the last minute is never a good thing – unless, that is, you have a date with Phil Mickelson and he has sent his new private jet to pick you up and take you to another rendezvous.
That’s precisely what happened this week to ten lucky golfers who had won a Callaway Golf competition to enjoy lunch with the World Number 2 at Loch Lomond, venue of the Barclays Scottish Open.
However, the Callaway Golf® Staff Professional was invited at late notice to play a practice round at Royal Birkdale ahead of next week’s Open Championship. But, instead of standing up his guests, Mickelson sent his brand new Gulfstream jet to Glasgow to pick up the winners and fly them down to Liverpool in time for lunch.
Having arrived in Scotland the evening before, the bemused winners, who had flown in especially from various European countries including Sweden, Germany and Denmark, found themselves back at Glasgow airport. There they were given the VIP treatment at the private aviation terminal and bussed across the tarmac to the waiting 14-seater jet, which Phil had flown in for the first time the evening before, making the transatlantic crossing from San Diego, California, in seven hours.
After the 39-minute flight down to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the group was transported to Royal Birkdale where they were greeted by Phil on the first tee, and treated to a chipping and wedge master class by one of the world’s greatest ever short game exponents.
They were then taxied to the new, five-star Vincent Hotel, Southport, where ‘Lefty’, accompanied by his caddie, Jim ‘Bones‘ McKay and short game coach, Dave Pelz, was waiting to welcome his guests and treat them to a sumptuous lunch.
“The surprise trip on Phil’s private jet made a special day even more memorable for our winners,” said Callaway Golf Europe managing director, Neil Howie. “Phil did an outstanding job entertaining his guests. If these golfers were wondering what it was like to live the jet set lifestyle of a tour professional, I think they have a pretty good idea, now.”
As well as lunch with Lefty, all of the winners have won a set of custom-fitted Callaway Golf irons, driver – including a choice of FT-i® and FT-5® models, both of which Mickelson has used – plus two fairways woods, stand bag and signed golf cap.
Callaway Golf www.callawaygolf.com
.