After 217 preliminary tournaments belonging to the worldwide series exclusive to Porsche customers, the top 80 players from 20 markets were invited to Majorca where they competed for the trophies in six different classes from May 7 to 10.
The prestigious team competition was won by Team Russia. After two days and 36 holes of stableford around the Golf Son Gual and the Club de Golf Alcanada courses, whereby the latter was difficult to play this year, the Russian quartet placed ahead of the teams from Switzerland and Japan. The four winners can now look forward to another golf dream: the chance to participate at the Pro-Am tournament held in conjunction with the Porsche European Open that will be played on the newly baptised Porsche Nord Course belonging to Green Eagle Golf Courses near Hamburg from 25 to 29 July this year. The German team finished in a commendable fifth place whilst title-holders Great Britain come sixth in the final standings.
The most demanding golfing category, the gross class, was won by Julien Richelle from Belgium (Handicap +2.1). “It really was a quite unforgettable experience. I’ve been looked after so perfectly from the moment I landed up right until now – it makes the win feel even better,” said the overjoyed victor who shone on the first day by shooting a three under par round. Kristina Kang from Australia, the gross winner in the ladies’ class, added: “A fantastic event. The 30-hour flight was made all the more worthwhile.”
More than a competition
The focus at the 5th World Final was once again not only on the results. “The Porsche Golf Cup is an event of passions, and includes ones far beyond the golf course,” said Eberhard Schneider, Manager Global Events and Services at Porsche AG. “The golfing ambitions could also be felt this year. What however makes the Porsche Golf Cup World Final so special is above all the bonding of the golf and Porsche passions of the participants from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.”
The evening programme of events at the extremely atmospheric World Final led the participants to spectacular locations around the island. A highlight was the opening evening in a former quarry where all the teams and players were ceremoniously introduced. The accompanying persons did not only have the chance to play their own golf tournament or discover the sights of Palma. As a part of the Porsche Driving Experience, the sports car lovers had the opportunity to get to know the Balearic island and its breath-taking passes in the latest Porsche models in a completely new fashion.
The players competing in the tournament had the on-course chance to take a new Porsche back home. However, the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS on offer for a hole-in-one at the Porsche Golf Cup World Final is still awaiting a new owner.
Winners 2018 Porsche Golf Cup World Final
Team Trophy 2018: Russia
Singles:
– Gross ladies: Kristina Kang, Team Australia
– Gross men: Julien Richelle, Team Belgium
– Net category A (HCP +3.0 – 7.9): Alexander Timoshin, Team Russia
– Net category B (HCP 8.0 – 17.9): Dr Chia-Han Chan, Team Taiwan
– Net category C (HCP 18.0 – 36.0): Sebastien Bugnon, Team Switzerland
History
The Porsche Golf Cup was first held in 1988, since when it has become one of the company’s most successful international customer events. It is organised by Porsche centres and Porsche sales companies. The Porsche Golf Cup World Final was played for the fifth time in 2018, with Majorca providing the venue on all five occasions.
Porsche in golf
As well as the Porsche Golf Cup, Porsche AG has also been involved in professional golf since 2015: as title partner of the Porsche European Open. This year, the European Tour event will be played at Green Eagle Golf Courses, near Hamburg, from 25 to 29 July. Porsche also launched an innovative format for amateur golfers in 2016: the Porsche Generations Open, which is now played in several countries. Porsche’s involvement in golf is rounded off by the Porsche Golf Circle, an international app-based community launched last year for golf-loving Porsche customers.
Consumption data
911 Targa 4 GTS: fuel consumption combined 9.7 – 8.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 220 – 196 g/km