As the organiser and title partner of important professional golf tournaments on all major world tours, BMW is known to a multitude of golf fans around the world. The company is also involved in amateur sport – and has been since 1982. The BMW Gold Cup is the biggest international tournament series for amateur golfers and comprises national competitions in around 40 countries each season, as well as the World Final, where the individual titles are contested in three categories. The individual results also count for the prestigious national team category.
Once in a lifetime.
The World Final is a unique experience for competitors and their guests. The fascinating beauty of South Africa along with the unmatched warmth of the South African people and their rich culture await. Also taking centre stage is togetherness and the inspiring encounters with golf enthusiasts from around the world and different cultures. Last but not least, competitors can enjoy one of the most beautiful golf resorts on earth at the Fancourt Resort in George, in the heart of the Garden Route. From the first tee to the final putt, from the welcome evening to the gala dinner, from sunrise over the Outeniqua Mountains to blue hour by the sea – the World Final is an unforgettable event.
Guest of honour.
No BMW Golf Cup World Final would be complete without a golfing legend making a special appearance to put on a golf clinic and present competitors with their trophies. And who better to fill this role in South Africa than the country’s greatest golfer – if not greatest sports personality of all time: Gary Player. At 90 years old, the 18-time Major winner is still incredibly fit and has a rare kind of inspiring personality – on the golf course and in his tireless social commitments.
True paradise.
It is primarily the national parks that attract millions of tourists each year to discover South Africa’s unique flora and fauna. The ‘big five’ – elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards – can be found in their natural habitats in almost every national park. Beside the big five there are various other animals to observe, such as different species of gazelles, cheetahs, giraffes, monkeys, and much more. South Africa’s fauna is at least as diverse and multi-coloured as its wildlife. You can find everything from subtropical forests to Lowveld vegetation. Countless different plants, colourful flowers, and trees are easy to find throughout the country – and there is a reason why the Garden Route, where the Fancourt Resort is located, got its name.
Eagles for education.
For the third time, the BMW Group’s EAGLES FOR EDUCATION initiative is partnering with UNICEF, the UN children’s agency. The collaboration equips young people with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the working world of tomorrow and to shape independent, selfdetermined lives.
For each net eagle at the World Final, €1,000 will be donated to the collaboration between the BMW Group and UNICEF, named “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today”. The focus of the partnership is to bridge learning gaps within society and create learning and education opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The list of countries where the BMW Group and UNICEF are working together includes this year’s World Final venue South Africa as well as Brazil, India, Mexico and Thailand – all countries which have BMW Group presence.
Fancourt Resort.
The 620-hectare Fancourt Resort lies seven kilometres away from the historic city centre of George and is equally close to the airport. The five-star resort is home to three championship courses, each of which is a jewel in its own right. Fancourt is situated amid the idyllic scenery of the Garden Route region. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the club is one of the world’s best golf resorts. The golf club in its present form was designed by Gary Player and consists of three multi-award-winning courses"Outeniqua", "Montagu" and "The Links". The World Final of the BMW Golf Cup will be played on the Montagu and Outeniqua courses.
The Outeniqua course, which was completed in 1997, is characterised primarily by its visual diversity: water, small valleys, undulating fairways, and a dense tree population make up the course. The short holes with their numerous bunkers make the game both a special challenge and an incredible experience. The Montagu is the more challenging of the two courses. Some of the greens are very fast and are protected by large numbers of bunkers. The 17th hole is a recreation of the 12th hole on Augusta. The entire course is surrounded by the magnificent backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains and is characterised by water hazards as well as large, bunkered greens.
