WSM Sponsorship, promoters of the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China, today announced the signing of Rolex, Land Rover and CNN as Official Sponsors for the tournament.
They join the Title Sponsor, ISPS (International Sports Promotion Society) and the Presenting Sponsor, Mission Hills China, as Official Sponsors of the Senior World Championship, which takes place on the World Cup Course, Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China, from March 11-13 2011.
David Collins, WSM’s Director – International, sai,d: “Securing the support of three such high-profile brands as Rolex, Land Rover and CNN helps position this brand new event perfectly for achieving its future growth potential. By pledging their support from the inaugural year, these partners have enhanced the unique prospect of the Senior Tour’s first visit to China as well as the continued appeal to the wider corporate community.”
Rolex will be the Official Timekeeper for the Championship. With this new deal the luxury watch maker builds on its exclusive associations with Tthe European Tour and the China Golf Association, as well as its considerable global golf sponsorship portfolio.
Jean-Noël Bioul, Co-Director, Sponsoring at Rolex, said: "As one of The European Tour's longest standing sponsors, Official Timekeeper and strategic partner to the China Golf Association, we are pleased to be sponsoring the first ever officially sanctioned Senior Tour event in China. The presence of Senior Tour players with long and distinguished careers adds great experience for the continued development of golf in China."
Land Rover will be the Official Car Sponsor and Vehicle for the Championship, marking its first major foray into golf sponsorship in China. As part of this first-year sponsorship Land Rover will provide their market-leading automotive expertise and luxury vehicles to assist with player and VIP transportation.
Scott Dicken, VP – Marketing, Land Rover China said: "This is an exciting time for Land Rover China to be making its first major venture into golf sponsorship. China is currently our third largest market worldwide, moving quickly over the next few years to potentially attain number one status. The ISPS Handa Senior World Championship provides the business with a great customer engagement platform especially as golf is a popular hobby for many of the owners of our prestigious vehicles. "
Finally CNN is confirmed as the event’s Official Media Partner and will be providing significant coverage for the tournament across its Asia-Pacific TV platform. This will greatly enhance the new tournament’s status and awareness throughout the region, as well as providing highly valuable media exposure for the event partners.
William Hsu, Vice President of CNN Advertising Sales, Asia-Pacific said: "We are pleased to sponsor the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship. CNN has had a long association with golf through our programs including 'Living Golf' and 'World Sport' and we wish the tournament and the players every success."
All three Official Sponsor deals were brokered by WSM Sponsorship, who along with Mission Hills, the European Tour, China Golf Association and ISPS continue to break the mould in international golf by creating this opportunity for the first-ever officially sanctioned Senior Tour event in China.
Andrew White, Chief Executive of WSM Sponsorship, said: "WSM are delighted that Rolex, Land Rover and CNN will be supporting the Senior World Championship together with ISPS and Mission Hills China. Alongside the many benefits this will have for furthering the game’s development in such a rapidly expanding market, this undoubtedly validates the new tournament with the addition of one of golf’s most well-known global sponsors, a leading luxury car manufacturer and the world’s leading international TV news channel. We are extremely grateful for their support and look forward to working together in partnership over the next three years and hopefully more."
