Volkswagen Masters Begins Search For Golf's Finest

Volkswagen has launched a major international golf tournament, which is set to become one of the most significant events in the amateur golfing calendar. The Volkswagen Masters will bring together all levels of club golfer from 17 countries worldwide.

The top 1,000 golf clubs across the UK are being invited to enter a champion from one of their club medals into the regional heats. These will be held at some of the best courses in the country, including Dalmahoy; Slaley Hall; Moortown GC; Carden Park; Forest of Arden; Hanbury Manor; The London Club; Worplesdon; Bowood; and Royal Belfast. These finalists will battle it out at the famous Westin Turnberry resort on 1 September, on the historic Ailsa course.

Three winners from each country will qualify for an all-expenses paid place at the International Final, to be held in November at the Arabella Country Estate in South Africa, one of the most stunning golf courses in the world. Situated 60 miles from Cape Town, the course is impressive at 6,988 yards, and overlooks the beautiful Bot River Lagoon.

Volkswagen’s luxury cars, the Phaeton saloon and Touareg 4x4, will be supporting the event, with vehicles on display at both the UK final and the worldwide final in South Africa.

The Phaeton is one of the most advanced and luxurious cars in the world, with a range of highly refined engines – including a 6.0-litre W12 420 PS – as well as the most sophisticated climate control system in any production car. Recent additions to the range include a 4.2-litre V8 335 PS model and long wheelbase versions.

The Touareg is designed to deliver class-leading performance both on and off the road. Features such as permanent four-wheel drive, low and high gear ratios, electronic traction control linked to an auto-locking centre differential, hill start and descent assist and short front and rear overhangs all contribute to class-leading capability on rough terrain. Versions with air suspension can ford depths of up to 580 mm, while on the road the Touareg benefits from a host of electronic driver aids, such as ABS, brake assist and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).

Like the Phaeton, the Touareg is unique in its sector for featuring the world’s most powerful passenger car diesel engine to date. The 5.0-litre V10 TDI produces an exceptional 553 lbs ft of torque at just 2,000 rpm, resulting in vigorous performance both on and off the beaten track.

Commenting on the tournament, Paul Willis, Director of Volkswagen Cars, said: ‘We are delighted to have created this tournament, which is an exciting opportunity for amateur golfers to play on some of the best courses in the UK – and potentially reach the prestigious final in South Africa. It also enables us to highlight our luxury models to a highly-discerning audience.’