For the third year in succession, premium automotive brand Audi will be to the fore as an Official Sponsor of The 3 Irish Open to be played this year on the well respected Links Course at Baltray, Co. Louth from May 14-17.
As an Official Sponsor, Audi will once again have the exclusive right to provide courtesy transport to the golfers and officials who will arrive to participate in the event. For this purpose, a fleet of chauffeur-driven Audis will be placed in the care of the tournament transport co-ordinator - models that will include the impressive Audi Q7 SUV along with the top of the range Audi A8s.
The 3 Irish Open is one of a number of high profile events for which Audi Ireland provides transport logistics. Most recently, a similar service was provided to stars attending the Irish Film and Television Awards. Other high profile occasions for which Audi was chosen as limousine partner include the popular Taste of Dublin festival and, most memorable of all, Ireland's very successful EU Presidency in 2004.
Showcase for new A5 Cabriolet and soon-to-arrive A4 Avant
The Audi A5 with a sunnier disposition - the new A5 Cabriolet - is also set to make its official Irish debut at The 3 Irish Open in May, and will be closely followed by a new S5 Cabriolet flagship. Priced from just €55,450, and available to order now, the striking four-seat A5 soft-top range capitalizes on the space maximizing extended wheelbase length and state-of-the art engines, transmissions and chassis configuration that have secured success for the A5 Coupé.
Chosen in preference to heavy and complex folding metal roof systems, the lightweight soft-top in the new A5 Cabriolet features a heated glass rear window, and in just 15 seconds retracts into a compartment within the boot that automatically lowers to accommodate it. Equally importantly under temperamental Irish skies, it also raises again in only 17 seconds, and can complete both operations at speeds of up to 50km/h. When in place the three-layer roof very effectively insulates occupants from external noise, and for optimum refinement the standard acoustic hood reduces sound intrusion to virtually the same level as the A5 Coupe.
A5 Cabriolet – Prize for Hole-In-One at the 17th
To underline their support for the event, Audi are offering a stunning A5 Cabriolet as prize for a hole-in-one at the 17th where it will be displayed, fully within the view of spectators, television audiences and golfers as they play this challenging Par 3.
Audi - Active in Supporting Golf
The 3 Irish Open is just one of the leading golfing events to which Audi gives support. Popular also is the annual Audi quattro Cup, one of the world's leading amateur golfing competitions. Aimed at Audi owners, the quattro Cup attracts over 1,300 participants in Ireland with the national winners going forward to represent Ireland at the World quattro Cup final each year.
Audi also enjoys an excellent relationship with the Links Golfing Society as sponsors of the popular Audi Padraig Harrington Golf Classic. Across the 16 years of Audi sponsorship, millions of Euros have been raised for deserving charities.
Commenting, John Hayes said: “Golf has been an important outlet for Audi in Ireland. Through golf, we have found a perfect platform on which to build Audi’s profile and access our customer base. It has enabled us to support numerous worthy causes whilst helping us to achieve the success we are now enjoying.
“Our involvement in the Irish Open provides another high-profile opportunity to build upon the very successful reputation we have created for Audi as exclusive transport provider to leading Irish events.”
