Pro-golfer and Solheim Cup 2013 winner Beatriz Recari has made a special appearance at St Andrews Links, training 15 young golfers and their mentors in the first annual Allianz Golf Camp. The LPGA Tour player treated the group – who come from 9 different countries – to a 9-hole round, while also giving them one-on-one coaching sessions and inspirational advice about the game.
The Allianz Golf Camp is designed to celebrate the power of mentoring in golf and inspire a new generation to take up the game. A total of 15 pairs – each consisting of one young novice and their respective adult mentor – were chosen by the Allianz golf mentors Beatriz Recari and 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley.
The group take part in a variety of sessions at St Andrews Links, from rounds of golf, coaching sessions, putting contests and team building activities. They will also get a look behind-the-scenes at the ‘Home of Golf’, enjoy a cultural programme and meet golfers from around the world. The golfing pairs, who were all invited to St Andrews Links by Allianz come from Ireland, UK, Germany, CzechRepublic, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Brazil and the USA.
Recari, who was announced as an ambassador for Allianz earlier this year, today attended the camp to provide training and expert tips alongside professional coaches from St AndrewsLinksGolfAcademy. She is passionate about helping Allianz to open golf to new audiences, especially young people.
“Taking part in the Allianz Golf Camp at such an iconic golf course has been a special experience for me,” says Beatriz Recari. “Golf is a sport that has no boundaries and I’ve spent time with the group today at St Andrews Links sharing not only my knowledge of the game, but also how to have the right attitude when it comes to sport – it is meant to be fun! Mentoring was a huge part of my golf development when I was younger, so I know how important camps like this are to inspiring the next generation of golfers.”
The Allianz Golf Camp is part of the global Allianz initiative called “Live life in full swing”. Allianz is a passionate supporter of golf as a way of sharing quality time with friends and family, recognising that in a fast-paced world, golf can help people stay healthy while also providing many added social benefits.
“The Allianz Golf Camp at St Andrews Links gives youngsters an opportunity to be trained by the best, be inspired and most importantly, share amazing experiences with one another and their mentors. Golf inspires us, because it is not only a great sport, but also a way to spend quality time together and strengthen social bonds. With the involvement of Allianz ambassador Beatriz Recari, the participants enjoy activities that will encourage them to be the best they can be, while also helping to bring others into the game through their own experiences,” said Dr. Christian Deuringer, Head of Global Brand Management, Allianz SE
Steve North, Director of Instruction, St AndrewsLinksGolfAcademy said: “St Andrews Links is proud to welcome the first Allianz Golf Camp. It is a fantastic opportunity for the group to be mentored by a touring professional and the team at the renowned St AndrewsLinksGolfAcademy. The camp message fits with our own belief at St Andrews Links – helping inspire a new golf generation and continuing to make the game of golf accessible to everyone.”
Allianz, one of the world’s largest financial communities, is already a very strong supporter of golf globally. Alongside the partnership with St Andrews Links, as well as with Paul McGinley and Beatriz Recari, Allianz is also a partner of St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany, the creator and organiser of the very popular junior golfing initiative, Lucky 33. This year Allianz also announced partnerships with the Women’s British Open 2013 (1-4 August) and the Solheim Cup 2015, the most prestigious women’s golf event in the world.
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