A group of participants receiving putting advice from Beatriz Recari

  • European Solheim Cup star Beatriz Recari joins the first annual Allianz Golf Camp, taking place at St Andrews Links from Sept 14-18
  • 15 young golfers from around the world undergo professional training with their mentors at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy in a 5-day golfing adventure

Pro-golfer and Solheim Cup 2013 winner Beatriz Recari has made a special appearance at St Andrews Links, training 15 young golfers and their mentors in the first annual Allianz Golf Camp. The LPGA Tour player treated the group – who come from 9 different countries – to a 9-hole round, while also giving them one-on-one coaching sessions and inspirational advice about the game.

The Allianz Golf Camp is designed to celebrate the power of mentoring in golf and inspire a new generation to take up the game. A total of 15 pairs – each consisting of one young novice and their respective adult mentor – were chosen by the Allianz golf mentors Beatriz Recari and 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley.

The group at the Kingarrock Hickory Golf course (with Beatriz Recari)

The group take part in a variety of sessions at St Andrews Links, from rounds of golf, coaching sessions, putting contests and team building activities. They will also get a look behind-the-scenes at the ‘Home of Golf’, enjoy a cultural programme and meet golfers from around the world. The golfing pairs, who were all invited to St Andrews Links by Allianz come from Ireland, UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Brazil and the USA.

Recari, who was announced as an ambassador for Allianz earlier this year, today attended the camp to provide training and expert tips alongside professional coaches from St Andrews Links Golf Academy. She is passionate about helping Allianz to open golf to new audiences, especially young people.

“Taking part in the Allianz Golf Camp at such an iconic golf course has been a special experience for me,” says Beatriz Recari. “Golf is a sport that has no boundaries and I’ve spent time with the group today at St Andrews Links sharing not only my knowledge of the game, but also how to have the right attitude when it comes to sport – it is meant to be fun! Mentoring was a huge part of my golf development when I was younger, so I know how important camps like this are to inspiring the next generation of golfers.”

The Allianz Golf Camp is part of the global Allianz initiative called “Live life in full swing”. Allianz is a passionate supporter of golf as a way of sharing quality time with friends and family, recognising that in a fast-paced world, golf can help people stay healthy while also providing many added social benefits.

“The Allianz Golf Camp at St Andrews Links gives youngsters an opportunity to be trained by the best, be inspired and most importantly, share amazing experiences with one another and their mentors. Golf inspires us, because it is not only a great sport, but also a way to spend quality time together and strengthen social bonds. With the involvement of Allianz ambassador Beatriz Recari, the participants enjoy activities that will encourage them to be the best they can be, while also helping to bring others into the game through their own experiences,” said Dr. Christian Deuringer, Head of Global Brand Management, Allianz SE 

 

Steve North, Director of Instruction, St Andrews Links Golf Academy said: “St Andrews Links is proud to welcome the first Allianz Golf Camp. It is a fantastic opportunity for the group to be mentored by a touring professional and the team at the renowned St Andrews Links Golf Academy. The camp message fits with our own belief at St Andrews Links – helping inspire a new golf generation and continuing to make the game of golf accessible to everyone.”

Allianz, one of the world’s largest financial communities, is already a very strong supporter of golf globally. Alongside the partnership with St Andrews Links, as well as with Paul McGinley and Beatriz Recari, Allianz is also a partner of St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany, the creator and organiser of the very popular junior golfing initiative, Lucky 33. This year Allianz also announced partnerships with the Women’s British Open 2013 (1-4 August) and the Solheim Cup 2015, the most prestigious women’s golf event in the world.

 

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This business success with insurance, asset management and assistance services is based increasingly on customer demand for crisis-proof financial solutions for an aging society and the challenges of climate change. Transparency and integrity are key components of sustainable corporate governance at Allianz SE.

 

About St Andrews Links

The game of golf as we know it today originated at what is now the Old Couse at St Andrews Links. On this narrow strip of land extending out into the Eden Estuary from the ancient town of St Andrews, golf was first played in the 14th Century. More than 600 years later and the Home of Golf is Europe’s largest public golf complex, home to seven public golf courses and more than 230,000 rounds of golf each year.

Since 1974, St Andrews Links has been responsible for the management and maintenance of the courses at the Home of Golf as well as preserving the Links history of excellence, innovation and inspiration for future generations.

St Andrews Links manages a number of additional facilities including three clubhouses, a golf academy and five shops, including the flagship Tom Morris store, which is the global headquarters of a new British lifestyle apparel collection inspired by the heritage of the founder of the modern game of golf.

Our vision is to develop the Links as the most renowned golf complex in the world, delivering unique and memorable experiences for golfers to Play, Learn, Shop and Relax.

We are committed to managing the world’s most famous Links in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.

 

About Beatriz Recari

Beatriz Recari, a winner on both the LET and LPGA Tour is currently at a career high No. 24 on the Official Rolex Rankings. In 2012 she played 27 events and made a phenomenal 27 cuts and in 2013 she began the year with two top five finishes before winning the Kia Classic in a thrilling play-off. She will not only be the main female face of Allianz’ social media and digital golf programme this year, but will also be a mentor for the Allianz Golf Camp 2013.

 

About Paul McGinley

Paul McGinley has a fine track record as a leader in team golf and in January 2013 was announced as Captain of the European Team for The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. He played an instrumental role as one of José María Olazábal’s Vice Captains in the magnificent 2012 Ryder Cup victory at Medinah Country Club, and was also pivotal in the 2010 win under Colin Montgomerie. McGinley has always been passionate about the team format and played in three consecutive successful Ryder Cup Teams from 2002, the year he holed the winning putt. Whether it is The Ryder Cup, Vivendi Seve Trophy, World Cup or Royal Trophy, he has been on a winning team for all of them. In 2009 and again in 2011 he captained Great Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe in the Vivendi Seve Trophy. A winner of four European Tour titles, his best campaign to date came in 2005, during which he finished runner-up three times before concluding a wonderful year with a victory in the Volvo Masters. McGinley might have had a career in Gaelic football but a broken knee cap when he was 19 put paid to that dream, and he had a sixth knee operation towards the end of 2009. He played in the 1991 Walker Cup – beating Phil Mickelson and Bob May alongside Liam White – and gained his European Tour card on his first visit to the Qualifying School later the same year. He continues to help shape The European Tour as a member of the Tournament Committee. Alongside Beatriz Recari, Paul is the main male face of Allianz’ social media and digital golf programme this year.