MELBOURNE: German automobile giant Volkswagen has been announced as the title sponsor and official car partner of the Australian PGA Championship.
As a result, Australia’s largest and most successful pro-amateur team’s event will now be re-branded and called ‘Volkswagen Scramble’.
At the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Volkswagen’s fleet of vehicles will transport players and VIPs throughout the week.
The Volkswagen Scramble will continue its strong presence across Australian golf clubs and maintain the reputation the event has enjoyed over more than a quarter of a century.
Over the past 26 years, the Scramble has averaged over 450 events and 34,000 participants annually and directly led to over 14,000 vehicle sales.
Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles general manager of Marketing and Product Ben Wilks was delighted with the new partnership and keen to support golf in Australia.
“As one of Australia’s favourite spectator sports and past times, our partnership with golf in Australia has always been an obvious one. Now, partnering with the PGA to offer the Volkswagen Scramble couldn’t be a better fit for us for countless reasons – not least of all that two of our most iconic models, after all, are the Golf and the Caddy. ” Wilks said.
“What’s great about the Volkswagen Scramble is that it is a chance for us to engage with local communities, with the full support of our 105-strong National Dealer Network,” he continued.
Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, said he’s looking forward to the new era the Volkswagen Scramble is about to enter.
“Volkswagen is already a fantastic supporter of the golf industry through sponsorship of events on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series and numerous golf clubs throughout Australia,” said Kirkman.
“We’re very excited to see them grow their involvement in golf by becoming a Premier Partner of the PGA of Australia including naming rights sponsor of the Volkswagen Scramble and Official Car Partner of our premier tournament, the Australian PGA Championship.
“The Volkswagen Scramble is synonymous with local golfing communities around the country and we’re delighted we’ve been able to partner with a brand already heavily invested in local communities and keen to see grass-roots golf grow.”
The 2018/2019 Volkswagen Scramble season officially tees off in September.
The German company will triple up as the Official Car Partner of the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways as well.
