In October, the world final of the largest corporate golf tournament in the world will be played on the island of Haikou, in China. The anticipation is high, as 30 countries, 60 international golf players, and Portugal, with the company Avila Spaces, are all geared up to compete for the title.
From Sesimbra to Mission Hills: Portugal’s Road to the WCGC World Final
Óbidos hosted the national final of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Portugal National Final 2024 by Audi for the fourth time, and the municipality that has supported this event since 2020 has lived up to its hospitality and affirmation as a golf destination. Filipe Daniel, Mayor of Óbidos, concludes that this event has a “fantastic impact on the region and continues to give visibility to the territory of Óbidos, as well as the promotion of sports and golf”.
This partnership between the World Corporate Golf Challenge Portugal and the Municipality ofÓbidos intensifies the “Tourist dimension and the purpose of bringing new guests and residents to the territory, which is extremely important for its economic and social transformation.” This year, the international dimension of the event will further enhance the region, as the winning team will take Óbidos to the final, in China, sharing Óbidos brand in territory and a strategic issuing market for the municipality.
The national final with thirty-six finalists was a challenge and with a focus on victory. Proof of this was a podium with results that can only be a source of pride for the first three classified: in 3rd place with 41 points Padaria Trigo Bom, composed by Vítor António and Miguel Heliodoro, in 2nd place the company BB Global, where Celeste Duarte and Rui Martins achieved 42 points and the winning company, Avila Spaces, made 43 points obtained by Nuno Costa Alemão and Miguel Lourenço.
The winning team did not hide their emotion and pride in victory and, for Nuno Costa Alemão, “The World Corporate Golf Challenge Portugal has already accustomed us to a very high level of organization and excellence. This year, Avila Spaces dared to invite us, bringing together two highly prestigious brands, so it could only work!” For MiguelLourenço, the idea is the world final. The goal is “To win and further elevate the name of Portugal and Avila Spaces.”
The truth is that the company that debuted in the most significant corporate golf tournament in the world won the 2024 edition. For Carlos Gonçalves, CEO & Founder of Avila Spaces, “be part of the WCGC represents a unique opportunity to reinforce the brand’s visibility, as leaders in innovation in the flexible workspace market in Portugal. This tournament offers us this excellent opportunity, both at a national level and now at an international level, to play in the World Final.” The synergy between golf, companies and Avila Spaces is part of this company’s DNA as “there is a set of shared values that are also present in golf, such as team spirit, respect, transparency and loyalty.
We aim to contribute to the democratization of golf in Portugal through our partnership with the Portuguese Golf Federation through Centro Nacional de Formação do Jamor Golf Course and the tournaments and clinics we have organized for several years.”
Unique Experiences Offered to Participants
The sponsors and partners of WCGC Portugal also expressed their satisfaction, firstly because they were able to participate in the cocktail and dinner, but, above all, for the showcase that the National Final by Audi provided to customers, competitors and many companies, in addition to the several entities involved. Audi also made the innovation part of the National Final, and the traditional welcome bag was replaced by an Audi golf bag that was given to all players, including the official polo and cap. An activation that reinforces the brand’s visibility and positioning in the event and is highly appreciated by all players.
The welcome check-in included the flavour of Nicola coffee, Uriage sunscreens and healthy Monchique water. At the halfway bar and cocktail bar, Coral and Brisa refreshed the competitors, and Cigala tasting delighted all the guests with a show of cooking and Wissi products. Moments before dinner, at the welcome cocktail, Per Se was served and enjoyed by everyone, as well as the typical Óbidos gingham from Vila Rainha. In addition to the gastronomic exhibition, the region’s crafts were highlighted with the demonstration by Oficina do Barro with the traditional ‘Óbidos verguinha’.
Golf as a Tool for International Connections
The next chapter will be in China, on the island of Haikou, and the golf course chosen to compete in the world final of the World Corporate Golf Challenge is Mission Hills Blackstone. This course has been voted the best championship course in Asia and is the official venue of the World Ladies Championship and the World Celebrity Pro-Am. Portugal wants to continue making history on this circuit and to add another victory to the six already achieved in previous years.
Alongside this purpose, Ana Massapina, licensee holder from Portugal, states, “The world final will be an unforgettable experience, as the organization is excellent and careful to every detail. Proof of this is that no one wants to be left out of this experience, and we will once again take golfers to play in the guest’s competition of the world final, the Sports Legends Cup.”
WCGC extends its heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors and partners whose support has been instrumental in the event’s success. Their contributions have enriched the experience for participants and enhanced the event’s visibility and reach.
The support of AUDI, Município de Óbidos, Câmara Municipal de Sesimbra, Turkish Airlines, Axis Hotéis, B travel, Associação de Promoção da Madeira, Madeira Golf Passport, Philips, Sesimbra SPA & Hotel, Município de Ponte de Lima, Vila Baleira, Vista Alegre, Afirma, Água Monchique, BDR, Coral, Brisa Maracujá, Distintus, Beirão D’Honra, Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, PerSe, Cigala, Nicola, Uriage, Santos e Vale, Fundação S. João de Deus, Floor Sensation e Associação Empresarial do Minho, Golftattoo, Golfe Press, Grupo Multipublicações (Executive Digest, Revista Marketeer, Human Resources), Greensavers, Evoque Mag, TNews e Revista Business Portugal, is deeply appreciated. We look forward to continued collaboration in the future.
