HSBC Renews Commitment To Golf, Awkward Celebratory Pics

As he's prone to do, HSBC's Global Head of Sponsorship and Events made it sound dire before committing some of his bank's sizeable resources to sponsoring golf tournaments on the PGA and European Tours, along with The Open Championship. The latter was already secured, but on the eve of the WGC-HSBC in Shanghai, the company committed to a five year renewal in Shanghai.

Even better, the news led to arguably the most awkward golf photo ever taken.

For Immediate Release:

HSBC ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF GLOBAL GOLF SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME

HSBC, one of the most prolific supporters of world golf, announces renewal of its global golf sponsorship portfolio
 
SHANGHAI - November 3, 2015 - HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations, has announced the renewal of three key pillars of its global golf sponsorship portfolio and confirmed its commitment to the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, the HSBC Women’s Champions and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship following the news earlier this summer that the bank will continue as Patron of The Open Championship.
 
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events at HSBC, made the announcement on stage at the 2015 HSBC Golf Business Forum in Shanghai ahead of the 11th edition of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club later this week and against the backdrop of the bank’s 150th Anniversary.
 
Morgan, flanked by an impressive cast of PGA TOUR Commissioner, Tim Finchem; European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley; Chief Executive of the R&A, Martin Slumbers; Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han; HE Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Global Head of Golf at IMG, Guy Kinnings, announced HSBC’s wholehearted commitment to golf with the renewal of its title sponsorship position of all of the professional tournaments in its portfolio.  Multi-year extension contracts for the renewals of the HSBC Champions, the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship were all agreed this morning in Shanghai.
 
Morgan said: “In the last decade we have been involved in 45 tournaments and brought world class golf events to China, Singapore and the UAE.  Today we are re-stating our commitment to golf in Asia and the Middle East. Here in China, our flagship World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event has proved to be the perfect stage for golf in Asia to come of age; in Singapore, HSBC Women’s Champions has become an annual highlight of the LPGA Tour, whilst the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has cemented its reputation as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf. We believe today’s announcement represents a major statement of intent as golf prepares to return to the Olympic Games following a 112 year absence – it’s a huge opportunity for the sport and one golf needs to grab with both hands.”
 
HSBC is one of the biggest supporters of golf worldwide with extensive youth and community programmes in place to underpin their commitment to elite golf . The presence of so many of the leaders in world golf at the announcement underlines just how significant HSBC’s contribution is considered to be to the game and how much the Tours each value the bank’s committed support.
 
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem: “We are delighted to be here today to be with Giles to announce this excellent news. The World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions is the flagship event in Asia for the PGA TOUR and a great example of collaboration with the different members of the International Federation of PGA Tours along with the CGA and IMG to deliver a world-class tournament. We are thrilled that with this five-year extension, the HSBC Champions will be a part of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup schedule through the 2020-21 PGA TOUR season. ”
 
European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, said: “Today’s announcement is wonderful news for The European Tour and continues our partnership with HSBC which stretches back to November 2005 when the first HSBC Champions tournament was part of our International Schedule. Since then, both the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship have become hugely significant events and to have them both part of The Race to Dubai for the next five years is fantastic news. We thank HSBC not only for their commitment to The European Tour, but to the game of golf as a whole.”

Uh, I guess this means the HSBC Champions will continue to be part of the Race To Dubai? Anyone else need to kiss up to HSBC? Oh, I see we have a line forming!

LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan commented, “HSBC is a world class sponsor of women’s golf and it is fantastic to be here representing the LPGA as part of this important announcement for golf globally. HSBC Women’s Champions is one of the best events on our Tour and HSBC’s commitment to women’s golf is unwavering.”
 
Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han said, “We have been part of the HSBC Champions since 2005 and have enjoyed seeing this tournament grow and establish itself. It is great news that HSBC has guaranteed the future of the only World Golf Championships held in Asia.”

HE Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary welcomed the renewed partnership, saying: “HSBC has greatly contributed to the Championship since coming on board in 2011. With its support we have strengthened the field, significantly enhanced the spectator offering and hugely expanded our messaging outreach.  Through this partnership the Championship has become stronger year-on-year and we believe that will hold true for the coming half decade.”

Zhang Xiaoning, Vice President and Secretary General of the CGA said, “We welcome this traditional tournament to continue to take place in China. For a long time, CGA has enjoyed working with HSBC on this tournament and their junior programme and very much appreciate their commitment to golf in China.”

Anyone else need to get in a thank you quote? Going once...