The European Tour, Sky Deutschland and the Tour’s 30 other live broadcasters around the world wish the BMW International Open a happy 25th anniversary this week.
The BMW International Open is the longest running event under the same title sponsor on The European Tour International Schedule, stretching back to the inaugural event in 1989. The past quarter of a century, featuring so many great golfing moments, has highlighted BMW’s commitment to growing the game globally with three European Tour events now under the title sponsorship of BMW.
Last month the BMW PGA Championship, the Tour’s flagship event, was won by Matteo Manassero at Wentworth Club, while following this week’s BMW International Open will be the BMW Masters in Shanghai in October, the first leg of ‘The Final Series’ leading up to the season’s finale in Dubai. BMW is also the Official Car of The European Tour and The Ryder Cup, and on the PGA Tour, the BMW Championship forms the third leg of the FedEx Cup Playoff Series.
Sky Deutschland have brought many of those great moments live to Germany’s passionate sports fans and continues to showcase the BMW International Open exclusively live across the country.
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour who competed in the first BMW International Open, said: “The longevity and continuity of our partnership with BMW is extraordinary. We have been very fortunate for the last 25 years to have a company at our side which always strives for quality and innovation in everything it does and shares our common goal of growing the game of golf in Europe and beyond.”
Burkhard Weber, Senior Vice President Sports of Sky Deutschland, said: “We are delighted to once again be host broadcaster of the BMW International Open providing exclusive live coverage across Germany. This is a very special year for the tournament and we congratulate BMW on their 25th anniversary as we look forward to broadcasting this iconic sporting event.”
BMW’s commitment to bring golf to a wider audience was evident at the start of the tournament week with the “Opening Show Event” as thousands of people gathered in the English Garden in the heart of the Bavarian capital for a spectacular mini-tournament across the famous park, featuring Open Champion Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Maximilian Kieffer, Manassero, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Marcel Siem. Sky Sport News HD and many news broadcasters throughout Germany and around the world reported this unique event in their bulletins.
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