BMW offer classic prize for new course record

Thirty-five of the dynamic 5 Series and BMW's flagship model, the 7 Series, will chauffeur the world's top players, including Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Mark O'Meara and Greg Norman, to and from the US $2.2 million PGA European Tour event which has attracted 150 of the world's top golfers. As a special prize for the Dubai Desert Classic, golfers who beat Ernie Els' 1994 course record of 61 will be presented with a BMW 645 Coupé.

For many years BMW has been associated with sporting ambition and success. Just like its premium-sector products, the company sets high standards in its golfing activities, both as a tournament organiser and as an avid supporter of the game.

Recently BMW agreed a record four million euro, four-year, sponsorship deal of the PGA Championship, the European Tour's flagship golf tournament. The 250,000 euro increase comes as part of a 16 million euro deal for the tournament with the German premium car manufacturer who will also continue to sponsor three other events on the Tour: the BMW International Open and the Russia and Asian opens.

BMW also sponsors the prestigious BMW Golf Cup International, the world's leading amateur golf tournament. Every year BMW importers and dealers from around the world sponsor a series of local, regional and national golf tournaments that culminate with the BMW Golf Cup International finals.

BMW's commitment to golf is paralleled in their unwavering commitment to their customers. As the fastest growing luxury German car manufacturer in the region, 2004 proved to be another record breaking year for BMW Group Middle East with sales topping 10,590 units. The top three Middle East markets, in terms of sales volume in 2004, were the UAE, with 3,997 units sold; Saudi Arabia, 2,350 units sold and Kuwait, 1,566 units sold. Dubai was BMW Group's fastest growing market in the region, recording 27% growth.

In 2005, the expansion of the BMW brand will continue with the new 3 Series, new BMW M5, new BMW M6 and the introduction of the BMW 5 Series with a six-cylinder engine and xDrive. There will also be a new MINI, the MINI Cabrio.

'Whether on the golfing green or on the road, BMW ensures that its dynamism and performance are reflected in the world-class events it supports. The Dubai Desert Classic is no exception,' said Stathis I Stathis, General Manager, AGMC.

Besides Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, Arabian Ranches by Emaar, Nakheel, and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.