The European Tour and BMW extend partnership to 2014

The European Tour and BMW are delighted to announce a four year extension to their partnership for the BMW PGA Championship, The European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth Club, through to 2014.

The first PGA Championship under the BMW banner was held in 2005, and it has upheld its reputation as one of the highlights of the International Schedule, featuring world class fields and thrilling battles over the iconic West Course which has been extensively remodelled over the past 12 months.

The German car manufacturer has forged exceptionally strong links with The European Tour and organise two other events this season: the BMW Italian Open and the BMW International Open in Germany. In addition BMW is the Official Car partner of The European Tour, The 2010 Ryder Cup and 11 European Tour events.

Last month, it was also announced that The European Tour’s partnership with BMW in Germany for the BMW International Open has also been extended through to 2014, when the tournament will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

George O’Grady, The European Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “BMW are our strongest and most committed commercial partner with the events they support here in Europe and around the world. The foundations were laid in 1989 with the first BMW International Open and strengthened in 2005 with the first BMW PGA Championship and we are delighted to announce the extension of our partnership to 2014. BMW is a byword for how things should be done. They look after their customers and clients and, in our case, they look after golf and what golf stands for. We are fortunate to have BMW as a partner.”

Ralf Hussmann, BMW Sports Marketing & Brand Cooperation, said: “We are delighted to agree a four year extension to our partnership and firmly believe that with the help of our partners at The European Tour and Wentworth Club the BMW PGA Championship will continue to grow in stature and consolidate its reputation as one of the finest events in world golf.

“BMW has been involved in golf for more than 20 years and we continue to see it as an ideal medium through which to market our products and communicate with our key customers both in Europe and further afield. Wentworth Club is symbolic of great tradition and countless important competitions and so also fits nicely with everything BMW is trying to achieve. We look forward to playing a major role in its continued development through to 2014.”

Angel Cabrera won in 2005, the first year BMW partnered the event, and since then David Howell, Anders Hansen, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Paul Casey and Simon Khan have all triumphed. They followed in the footsteps of a roll call of great past champions including Peter Alliss, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, José Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam.

There have been 38 BMW events on The European Tour International Schedule, including this year’s BMW PGA Championship – 21 BMW International Opens, seven BMW Asian Opens, six BMW PGA Championships, two BMW Russian Opens and two BMW Italian Opens.

Ends

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. The pre-tax profit for 2009 was euro 413 million, revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years.

For further information please contact:

European Tour                    Communications Division

Tel: 01344 840400             Email: media@europeantour.com

Krystyna Kozlowska            BMW Media Relations Assistant

Tel: 01344 480707             Email: Krystyna.Kozlowska@bmw.co.uk

Gavin Ward                           BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel:  01344 480829            Email: Gavin.Ward@bmw.co.uk

Wieland Bruch                      Product Communications Manager

Tel: 01344 480113             Email: Wieland.Bruch@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel:  01344 480109            Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Press office fax:                   01344 480306

Media website:                    www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk

Customer website:              www.bmw.co.uk