Far Hills, N.J. (May 10) – The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), in partnership with the United States Golf Association, has produced a new series of video discussions with its global ambassador and eight-time USGA champion Jack Nicklaus that will debut today on www.usga.org, the official website of the USGA.
“Conversations with the Golden Bear” is a series of discussions between the 18-time major champion and USGA Executive Director Mike Davis on golf’s most relevant issues, including course setup, course management, golf course architecture, and the current and future game for professional and amateur players alike. The first topic in the series will be golf and the environment.
“Golfers will enjoy these ‘Conversations’ videos because not only is Jack Nicklaus one of the game’s greatest players, he enjoys sharing his opinions and wonderful insight into the game we all love,” said Davis. “Both Jack and the USGA feel that golfers deserve the opportunity to understand and appreciate the issues facing our game. ‘Conversations’ delivers in that regard.”
“I’ve always had great respect for the USGA and I cherish my national championships,” said Nicklaus, who has won four U.S. Opens, two U.S. Amateurs and two U.S. Senior Opens. “I also care a great deal about the future direction of the game, and I’m pleased that RBS and the USGA have created a vehicle to allow for constructive discussions on topics that are important to our sport. I’ve always encouraged more dialogue, and this is a great way to present it to the public and to players of all skill levels.”
Additional “Conversations with the Golden Bear” will appear on usga.org periodically throughout the USGA championship season. Course setup and course management are covered in a segment titled “Strategy,” which will debut May 11.
“We plan to have Jack and Mike together in front of the camera whenever possible to discuss key issues facing golf today,” said RBS Marketing Director David Webb. “Although they may not always agree, Jack and Mike are united in their desire to do the right thing for the game that we are all passionate about.”
About The Royal Bank of Scotland
The RBS Group is a large international banking and financial services company. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the Group operates in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia, serving over 30 million customers.
The Group provides a wide range of products and services to personal, commercial and large corporate and institutional customers through its two principal subsidiaries, The Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest, as well as through a number of other well-known brands including, Citizens, Charter One, Ulster Bank, Coutts, Direct Line and Churchill. RBS has a long history and association with golf, with support of the game’s grass roots development as Trustee of The First Tee – an organization providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as confidence, perseverance and judgment through golf and character education – through to championship level play, as a proud Patron of the USGA.
About the USGA
The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. It also conducts two state team championships and helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships. Each year, more than 35,000 players representing more than 80 countries submit entries to play in USGA championships.
The USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. The USGA writes and administers the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, and since 1920, has been a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history, and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program.
For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
Contact:
Daniel Hubbard (dhubbard@usga.org)
Web Address: www.usga.org
USGA Phone: (908) 234-2300
