Bentley Continental Cup

Colin Montgomerie might have shared the sentiment. A world-class golfer himself and contestant in eight consecutive Ryder Cups, Colin accompanied the participants of the Bentley Continental Cup during their training day on April 24th to offer advice and share pro experiences with them. The Bentley finalists were excited to be able to play a few holes individually with a master of the game and to receive pointers during an informal clinic, so vital in preparation for the tournament. It was certainly an unforgettable experience for any golfer hoping to improve, and to win. Colin Montgomerie turned professional in 1988 and went on to take the European Tour Order of Merit title every year between 1993 and 1999. He has won over 30 tournaments, among them the Volvo PGA Championship and the Volvo Masters. Considering his extensive experience in the formal Ryder Cup tournaments, it was an honour for Bentley Motors that he joined the event in Sardinia.

The preliminaries for this first ever Bentley Continental Cup World Final were extensive and stretch back to 2006, when Bentley dealers in the US, UK and Continental Europe organised local golf tournaments. The winners of these events were then invited to regional finals, the UK and Continental European Final took place in autumn 2006, the US Final early in 2007.

The contestants who qualified for the World Final in Sardinia share a love for Bentley Motor Cars and for golf, despite their handicaps being as diverse as their individual background and their profession. The American team featured players spanning the US from Florida to California and in its turn of the network of Bentley dealerships from Orlando to Silicon Valley. The UK/Continental Europe team included players from Frankfurt, Germany, Vienna, Austria and a contingent from Leads, Birmingham and the West Country, again exemplifying the range of the Bentley fan base. Every notable sporting event has its special unforgettable moment. In the World Final it was Katharina Stumpf (handicap 36) of Bentley Vienna who helped the European Team avoid a whitewash by spectacularly winning against Franklin Loffer (handicap 17) of Bentley Silicon Valley. By the way, the winning team received the trophy, but each player was given a small replica of the Bentley Continental Cup as a memento of a memorable tournament.

As a venue for the World Final Bentley had chosen the exclusive resort Cala di Volpe, a stunning hotel situated right by the course and not too far from the glamour and shopping delights of the elegant port town of Porto Cervo. However, most players preferred to relax between matches in the hotel´s  spa, taking a dip in the pool, loosening tight muscles and mulling over their game while they were pampered by Cala di Volpe´s luxuries. These moments of rest were much needed, because all matches were fiercely contested. However, both teams showed not only great team spirit, but also bonded with their opposition in the easy geniality of dedicated golfers. New friendships were forged and celebrated long into the night of the prize ceremony, despite an early start heading home for some of the players. And the stunning Pevero course has found new enthusiasts as well: after a delicious lunch some of the finalists still had not had enough and went back out after the tournament to play a few more last holes.

Though the World Final in Sardinia is over, the next golf highlight looms on the horizon. Preparations for the Bentley Continental Cup for Europe are already in full swing.