The post-event dinner at the WCGC Hong Kong is promising to go with a swing after one of Australia’s finest exports, Pure Blonde, was unveiled as the tournament’s Official Beer.

Players relaxing after the competition will also be offered Magners Irish Cider as both brands are distributed in Hong Kong by Solar Max Limited.

“We are delighted that Pure Blonde will be the Official Beer of the WCGC Hong Kong and, together with Magners Irish Cider, will be served on a complimentary basis at the tournament,” said Dr Peter Riha, Managing Director of Solar Max Limited.

“We are looking forward to being closely involved in what promises to be a memorable and exciting tournament and we wish good luck to all the players involved.”

The World Corporate Golf Challenge Hong Kong will be held on Friday, 5 March at Discovery Bay Golf Club. Twenty teams – comprising four players who each have a maximum handicap of 24 – will take part. The winning team will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the WCGC World Final in South Africa from 3-8 May.

Pure Blonde – the first beer in Australia to be marketed as low-carbohydrate – is full-strength and great tasting, with 70% less carbohydrates than a regular beer. Now the fastest growing packaged regular beer brand in Australia, it is proving to be a big hit with beer lovers, with 94% of people who try Pure Blonde buying it again.

Magners is truly an Irish success story. In Ireland, through a successful marketing campaign, Magners Irish Cider has changed attitudes to the beverage and recovered a brand that had been subject to declining sales, low pricing and low profits.

Manufactured by Bulmers Limited, Magners has also grown from strength to strength on the international stage – it is now the No.1 packaged cider brand in Great Britain and is available in 17 markets around the world.

Companies wishing to register a team in the WCGC Hong Kong – note, only one member of the team needs to be a full-time employee – or requiring information about sponsorship opportunities should call Amy Broomhead on 3579 8110 or email amy@laxtonmarketing.com.

WCGC Hong Kong – Why you should enter

The tournament offers multiple benefits to companies taking part, including guaranteed media coverage, valuable team bonding and – with golf widely recognised as an effective vehicle for business communication and building relationships outside the office – prime networking opportunities. In addition, it gives players a 1-in-20 chance of winning the golfing trip of a lifetime. The first-placed team will earn a starting spot in the WCGC World Final in South Africa in May, with flights and accommodation paid for by the organisers.

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Released on behalf of the WCGC Hong Kong by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Hong Kong golfers wondering what it is like to play in the WCGC World Final need only listen to Kevin Wyld.

Kevin and his three teammates from Beacon Investment Management Services – Glen Penrose and Richard and Marcus Gibson – represented Australia in last year’s showdown at La Manga Club in Spain and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.

The quartet finished runners-up to Portugal but, more than the result, Kevin remembers the sheer buzz of the World Corporate Golf Challenge and the camaraderie between the competing teams.

“We have lived the dream ever since and probably bore all of our friends!” he laughs. “To say the least, it was one of the highlights of our sporting lives.”

Kevin’s comments should provide the perfect spur for teams competing in the inaugural WCGC Hong Kong at Discovery Bay Golf Club on Friday, 5 March. Twenty teams – comprising four players who each have a maximum handicap of 24 – will take part.

The winning team will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2010 WCGC World Final, which this year will be held at the beautiful Fancourt and Oubaai Golf Clubs in the spectacular Garden Route region of South Africa from 3-8 May.

Kevin, the managing director of Beacon, remembers every detail of the 2009 World Final. “The lead-up to the final in Spain was great – there were several cocktail parties and dinners with a lot of banter between the teams,” he says.

“The Poms’ captain suggested that they would cremate us, just like the Ashes in cricket! It was all good fun.

“The atmosphere and excitement in practice and on the first morning was electric, with all the teams arriving in their team colours and keen to play.

“As teams commenced playing the other teams gathered at the first tee and enthusiastically applauded any good drives in a very sporting manner.”

The event was held over two days with the best three stableford scores on each hole recorded towards the total team score.

“On the first day I wasn’t playing well and the captain of our playing partners was very generous in his encouragement and tried to assist me with my game. It was a wonderful gesture,” recalls Kevin.

“As each team completed the first day and scores were continuously updated, it added to the excitement. As it turned out there were five teams within four shots of the lead, but the poor Poms had definitely left their matches at home and couldn’t start any fires!

“The final day was again filled with excitement and the leading teams hit off last. We played with the Welsh team, and my wife commented that you would think that we were long standing friends, not competitors who started the day one shot apart.

“At the end no one quite knew who was leading and as we were in the second last group we found out soon after completing our round that we had secured at least third place, which was very exciting. The organisers provided a few bottles of champagne, which was very welcome.

“The final groups came in with Portugal scoring heavily on the back nine and taking out first place. The Malaysian team didn’t fare so well so we came in second. We were very excited to say the least.”

Portugal’s winning score was 232 points, with Australia finishing on 222 and Malaysia third on 218.

Kevin and his teammates have entered the Australasian WCGC again this year in the hope of repeating their 2009 adventure.

“It was such a great experience and we can only discuss how we might qualify for the final in South Africa this year,” he says. “We hope we can make it in 2010.”

Those sentiments will be echoed by the 20 teams competing in the WCGC Hong Kong. Companies requiring information about sponsorship opportunities or wishing to register a team in the WCGC Hong Kong should call Amy Broomhead on 3579 8110 or email amy@laxtonmarketing.com.

Top 10 teams at the WCGC World Final 2009:

1. Portugal
2. Australia
3. Malaysia
4. Wales
5. Italy
6. Spain
7. England
8. Mexico
8. India
10. Guatemala

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Released on behalf of the WCGC Hong Kong by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.