Allianz sponsors disabled golfer

St Andrews Links Trust and Allianz have entered a global partnership this year. The three-year strategic collaboration serves as a lighthouse for Allianz's various activities in golf, and aims to bring the unique spirit of St Andrews Links to the growing number of golf aficionados around the world.

"A key part of the partnership between St Andrews Links Trust and Allianz is increasing accessibility to the sport," says Steven Althaus, Senior Vice President Global Brand Management and Strategic Partnerships at Allianz. In 2009, Allianz entered a partnership with the Trust, aimed at strengthening the global profiles of both organisations, and protecting the Links' unique heritage by investing in the restoration of the coastline.

St Andrews Links, which is considered the "Home of Golf" is the largest public golf venue in Europe, regularly hosting The Open Championship and the pro-am Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

"I am really pleased Allianz is joining forces with St Andrews Links Trust," says Manuel de los Santos, who is representing the partnership between Allianz and St Andrews Links at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which starts on Thursday, 1 October 2009. "The partnership is helping people learn about the origins of the sport - people from Germany, France, Spain, Latin America, people all over the world."

Born in the Dominican Republic, de los Santos only started playing golf five years ago, after a motorbike crash left him requiring an amputation. A natural athlete, he had been expecting to play baseball professionally in the United States. The accident instead meant he turned his exceptional talents to golf. Since moving to Paris, he has been a member of the Handigolf team, which is supported by Allianz France.

"Manuel de los Santo's achievements serve as inspiration to able-bodied and disabled golfers alike," says Althaus. "Allianz is proud to help athletes with disabilities. We do this not only through our support of individuals like Manuel de los Santos, but also through the support of the International Paralympic Committee and promotion of road safety via the Formula One^TM platform."

De los Santos, who has a handicap of 3.6, started playing in able-bodied professional events on the Allianz Golf Tour after he won the Swedish Invitational in Malmo. He is hoping to make a big impression among the European Tour professionals and celebrities at the tournament on the east coast of Scotland, where he will take on the Old Course for the first time.

"It is a dream for me to play at the Old Course. So many greats of the game have played here and it has a special place in the heart of any golfer," says de los Santos. 

Long-time Allianz Ireland Ambassador and former Ryder Cup winner, Paul McGinley, will also be playing, and ready to give de los Santos tips on playing on the Links.

 
You can follow Manuel's and Paul's progress, as well as explore the Home of Golf online at the partnership's state-of-the-art website - www.allianz.com/sal - which provides visitors with unique insights into the courses and the Links' community.

 
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