London (6 October 2016) – Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion and one of today’s globally renowned golf course designers and ambassadors, has confirmed his participation at the 2016 HSBC Golf Business Forum at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, from 28 November – 1 December.
Arguably the greatest champion in the game’s history, Nicklaus enjoyed a spectacular playing career that spanned five decades and was decorated with 120 professional tournament victories worldwide and a record 18 professional major-championship titles, along with another record eight majors on the Champions Tour. The legacy Nicklaus has left as a player can be rivaled only by the legacy he is leaving as a thriving golf course designer, businessman, ambassador, and philanthropist.
As a legend of the sport, Nicklaus’ attendance at the HSBC Golf Business Forum enhances the already exciting and packed agenda, where the game’s most influential voices, leaders, decision-makers and global innovators will gather.
“I am delighted to welcome the HSBC Golf Business Forum to Florida and, along with everyone at Nicklaus Design, I am looking forward to attending the Forum,” Nicklaus said. “Since I began playing the game in the early 1960s, my goal was to introduce and grow the game in every corner of the world. I was blessed to be able to do that not only as a competitor, but with a parallel career designing golf courses. While I no longer play golf as a competitor, I am still very active and passionate about design and our industry’s collective efforts to grow this great game.
“The business of golf is a very important topic in America and around the world, and I will be particularly interested to hear everyone’s thoughts. I would think everyone who attends the event is in for a fascinating few days as we focus on the topics that are critical to the game today and tomorrow.”
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, said, “Jack Nicklaus is a true legend of the sport and we’re delighted to welcome him to this year’s HSBC Golf Business Forum. As the premier meeting place for golf’s most influential decision-makers, it is fitting that someone of Jack’s stature should contribute to discussions as we head to America for the first time in the Forum’s history.”
Nicklaus, who was named GOLF Magazine’s Architect of the Year at the start of 2015, has been involved in the design of almost 300 courses open for play worldwide, and his thriving business, Nicklaus Design, has 405 courses open for play in 41 countries and 39 states. No fewer than 140 Nicklaus Design courses have hosted close to 900 professional tournaments worldwide or significant national amateur championships. As many as 100 Nicklaus Design courses have appeared in various national and international Top-100 lists. The firm currently has projects under construction or under development in 22 different countries.
Jack was also the “Global Ambassador,” along with women’s legend Annika Sorenstam, for golf’s unified campaign to gain inclusion into the Olympic Games. That goal was realized when the International Olympic Committee added golf to the 2016 Olympic Program, and in August the game witnessed the global impact, as six combined medals for men and women went to six different countries.
Attendees of the two-day event will learn from keynote speakers; take part in thought leadership and networking sessions; and play the famous TPC Sawgrass Stadium course on 1 December.
For further details and inquiries associated with attendance, engagement and brand exposure of the HSBC Golf Business Forum, please contact – Georgina.Sangster@img.com.
For more information on the HSBC Golf Business Forum please go to – www.golfbusinessforum.com
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About HBSC
HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services to customers through four global businesses; Global Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Global Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets and Global Private Banking.
The HSBC Group
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 4,400 offices in 71 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,608bn at 30 June 2016, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.
About HSBC Golf Sponsorships
HSBC’s global commitment to golf encompasses all levels of the game, from grassroots to elite.
HSBC is a proud patron of The Open Championship and this partnership with The R&A creates a centre of gravity to a global golf portfolio that spans HSBC’s key markets. In Asia, HSBC has spearheaded the arrival of world class golf events with its flagship WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. The $9.5m WGC-HSBC Champions is renowned as ‘Asia’s Major’ and has made such an impact, that Rory McIlroy describes China as “an unstoppable force in world golf.” HSBC has been co-title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship since 2010 and the event has quickly become one of the biggest events on the European PGA Tour.
However, underpinning those international flagship events is a longer-term ambition to create a legacy from HSBC’s global tournaments through its sponsorship of youth development and grassroots programmes. In China, HSBC supports the HSBC China Junior Golf Program, a sustainable long-term structure and framework upon which the future of Chinese golf is being built. In Hong Kong, HSBC supports the HSBC Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme, a structured pathway for children to try the sport for the first time, develop their skills and, for those talented enough, the chance to represent Hong Kong on the international stage. In the UK, HSBC is sponsor of HSBC Golf Roots – The Golf Foundation’s national development programme which promotes the sport in schools, helps youngsters into clubs and uses golf to promote important life skills.
For more details on HSBC’s golf activities, visit www.hsbcgolf.com
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.
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