WCGC 30th Anniversary Chairman Message

With immense joy and pleasure, we announce the 30th Anniversary of the World Corporate Golf Challenge! For the past thirty years, this event has been treasured by the golfing community and has flourished tremendously.

The WCGC started in 1993 when a group of sportsmen, led by Sir Bobby Moore, a former star of English football, decided to create an event. The intention was simple. A golf event that provided the perfect environment for participating companies to develop their relationships with staff, customers, suppliers and partners.

The World Corporate Golf Challenge was born, a golf competition open to companies and UK-based agencies. One of the most prestigious UK newspapers, The Times, supported it as its official media partner.

The success of the event was apparent right from the start. In its first edition in the UK, over 5,600 players took part, a figure that played a crucial role in the concept’s expansion. There was an appetite for the event; by 1996, the event had spread to other countries worldwide. At the first World Final, close to 15 countries were represented.

WCGC around the world

Today, WCGC is a corporate golf event held in more than 30 countries worldwide, competing for a place in a World Final that has grown into what we have today: a week of golf and networking. The WCGC has become an annual meeting place for businesses and legends of the sport, providing a platform to establish new connections and strengthen existing relationships. In addition, the event has grown and evolved, offering participants a unique and exciting experience that extends beyond the golf course.

Although the last few years have been challenging for everyone, we hopefully look to the future. We are slowly returning to normality in events, and WCGC does not want to be left behind. We continue working with our licensees to improve worldwide competitions and foster relationships among participating countries. We are adding new countries to make WCGC a bigger and better event, increasing competitiveness and making it harder to reach the desired position of WCGC winners at the World Final.

It’s time to congratulate all who made the event what it is today. Congratulations to all the investors, staff, licensees, media partners, sponsors, host venues, and suppliers, to our hosts of the 30th Anniversary World Corporate Golf Challenge World Finals, Tenerife, and in particular, to the many companies who have participated worldwide.

Another critical area in which WCGC excels is its understanding and use of new media, which has undoubtedly helped to grow the event and enhance its reputation. The value of having the ability to film and broadcast the World Final to an audience in over 60 countries and using the latest platforms and applications does justify the meaning of the ‘World Final’ tag.

The original concept of combining golf and media in a competitive international environment is a winning formula. It appeals to sponsors that view the business executive profile and associated press globally as a highly cost-effective, attractive and excellent value involvement.

Global Ambassadors and Sports Legends

I don’t want to forget our Ambassadors and Sports Legends who have always supported us. We have been holding the Sports Legends Cup for several editions, an “invitation-only” event where everyone can play alongside the legends. Sportspeople, VIP business guests, and media representatives worldwide will participate in this tournament parallel to the World Final. Over the years, teams have been captained by Ryder Cup legends such as Tony Jacklin CBE, Manuel Piñero, Ronan Rafferty, Eddie Polland, Simon Holmes or Jeremy Dale; or Portuguese international footballers Luis Figo and goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira, Olympic medalists like Giovane Gavio, an NFL legend and Super Bowl winners like Ryan Pickett or football players like Antonio Careca, Mark Hugues among many others.

Tony Jacklin CBE, the WCGC global ambassador from 2011 to 2015, said: “I was delighted to be involved with the World Corporate Golf Challenge as the global ambassador. It’s a great event for businesses to entertain customers and network with decision-makers across various industry sectors, both domestically and globally. The event has a great heritage, and I was excited about my role in helping to raise the event’s profile and expand the tournament into new territories worldwide.”

In short, the 30th Anniversary of the World Corporate Golf Challenge is a unique occasion to honour the history and legacy of the event while continuing to strengthen relationships and celebrate the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship in the corporate world. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this historical celebration!

Thank you, and Happy 30th Anniversary.

José Guerra

Chairman ● World Corporate Golf Challenge