Diabetes UK and the European Tour Foundation have been chosen as the Official Charity Partners of the 2018 BMW PGA Championship, the first Rolex Series event of the 2018 European Tour schedule, at Wentworth Club from May 24-27.
Both charities are dedicated to supporting children and adults in need, with the European Tour Foundation working with charities, players, governing bodies and partners to ensure a lasting legacy in the countries where the European Tour plays, and Diabetes UK the leading UK charity for people affected by diabetes.
The launch was supported by Chris Wood, a former winner of the BMW PGA Championship in 2016, and Genesis star and Diabetes UK Ambassador Mike Rutherford, along with 14 children living with various types of diabetes, to compete in several golf challenges delivered by The Golf Foundation.
“I think it’s great that golf tournaments like the BMW PGA Championship can have such a positive impact on so many different people and I am delighted to see both charities, the European Tour Foundation and Diabetes UK, benefiting from one of our biggest events on the European Tour,” said Wood.
“It’s always a nice feeling coming back to Wentworth and I can’t wait to play in this year’s tournament again. It certainly holds some special memories for me, especially after the win in 2016, and with the players we have coming this year, it’s going to be another huge week of golf.”
During the 2018 BMW PGA Championship Charity Launch at Wentworth on April 12, 2018 in Virginia Water, England.
Photo credit: Getty Images
A founding member of the hugely successful rock band Genesis and Mike + The Mechanics, Rutherford is widely regarded as one of England’s most talented songwriters and musicians, and more recently has been working closely with Diabetes UK as an Ambassador.
Rutherford’s son Harry has Type 1 diabetes and manages his condition by using insulin to balance his glucose levels. His father, who will play in the Celebrity Pro-Am prior to the BMW PGA Championship next month, has first-hand knowledge of how the diagnosis can change someone’s life.
“Raising awareness of the condition is hugely important and as an Ambassador of Diabetes UK, it’s brilliant that the BMW PGA Championship have chosen us as one of their Official Charity Partners this year,” said Rutherford.
“I’m really looking forward to the week itself. It is a world class sporting event first and foremost, but now with the bands playing on the weekend and the pro-am having such a great atmosphere before the tournament, it really has something for everyone.”
Nick Rose, Head of European Tour Foundation, added: “We are delighted to be an Official Charity partner of the BMW PGA Championship. We now enter a new era which sees the European Tour embarking on a far greater, global philanthropic strategy and we are very much looking forward to working with Diabetes UK at this world-class event.”
Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity for people affected by diabetes. Their mission is to bring people together to work in partnership, support those living with diabetes, prevent Type 2 diabetes, make research breakthroughs, and to ultimately find a cure.
Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be charity partner to this year’s BMW PGA Championship; the money and awareness this incredible event will raise will – no doubt – help us change the lives of those living with or at risk of diabetes.
“We want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in this partnership. Diabetes is one of the biggest health crises of our time, and it’s only by working together; raising money, raising awareness and – as with this tournament – championing the benefits of sport and physical activity, that we’ll be able to truly achieve our goal of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, said: “We are privileged to welcome the European Tour Foundation and Diabetes UK on board as this year’s Official Charity Partners at the BMW PGA Championship.
“The partnerships help to raise funds for both organisations and will have a positive impact on individuals and communities throughout the UK.”
Fans can now book tickets to watch some of the biggest names in golf, including Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood in the star-studded line up at Wentworth by clicking here.
Tickets for all four days of the tournament, plus tickets for the Wednesday Celebrity Pro-Am and weekend headline bands Rudimental and Simple Minds, are also now available by clicking here.
For further information regarding Official Hospitality and VIP Packages, or to book tickets please Alternatively, contact the Tour’s dedicated Hospitality Sales Team, who will be happy to answer any queries and discuss the various hospitality options, on hospitality@europeantour.com or +44 (0) 1344 840681.
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During the 2018 BMW PGA Championship Charity Launch at Wentworth on April 12, 2018 in Virginia Water, England.
Photo credit: Getty Images
About The European Tour
The European Tour celebrates men’s professional golf on a global stage. In 2017, the European Tour International Schedule features a minimum of 47 tournaments in 26 countries, including eight Rolex Series events, all part of the Race to Dubai.
Celebrating the global connectivity of the European Tour and Dubai, the Race to Dubai is a season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s Number One player, an honour which in 2016 went to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson for the second time, and which since 2009 has also been achieved three times by Rory McIlroy, as well as by Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald. Formerly known as the Order of Merit, points are accumulated based on prize money won, with the top 10 ranked players at the end of the season sharing a $5million Race to Dubai bonus pool.
Since its formation in 1972, the European Tour has witnessed 26 Members celebrate a total of 52 Major Championship titles between them, enjoyed ten Members attaining the pinnacle of World Number One and has celebrated its diversity as players from 36 different countries have won on the Tour.
The European Tour also manages the Challenge Tour, which featured 28 tournaments in 22 countries in 2016, and the Senior Tour, which featured 13 tournaments in nine countries in 2016. It is also the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe, the body which, alongside the PGA of America, administers golf’s greatest team contest, The Ryder Cup.
The European Tour broadcasts live coverage of its tournaments to more than 490 million homes in more than 150 countries every week, generating in excess of 2,200 global broadcast hours for each event. It also enjoys the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with Rolex, BMW, Emirates and Titleist as Official Partners.
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About the Rolex Series
The Rolex Series is the premium event category on the European Tour’s International Schedule, comprising eight events in 2018, staged in a variety of golfing locations around the world, each with a minimum prize fund of US$7 million.
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Rolex’s enduring partnership with the European Tour, the Rolex Series launched in 2017. Showcasing innovation, enhanced broadcast and digital coverage, and world class players, the list of champions in the first year comprised some of golf’s most distinguished players: Alex Noren (Sweden), Tommy Fleetwood (England), two-time winner Jon Rahm (Spain), Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spain), Tyrrell Hatton (England), Justin Rose (England) and Branden Grace (South Africa).
The 2018 roster of Rolex Series tournaments is: the BMW PGA Championship (May 24-27); the Italian Open (May 31-June 3), HNA Open de France (June 28-July 1); the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation (July 5-8); the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open (July 12-15); the Turkish Airlines Open (November 1-4); the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player (November 8-11); and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November 15-18), where the leading golfer on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex will be crowned.
