***Update – 29. June 2012: see a cool video with Martin, showcasing how golf and football can merge***
Insight into the TaylorMade-adidas GolfTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family.) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family. family. Pro-Am 2012
This Monday I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only meet a real golf pro but also to learn from him. Actually, I even had to give him advice myself concerning his game and the choice of his clubs. This was an experience which was exciting and weird at the same time. I had a full 18 holes, almost six hours, to really get to know a professional golfer. And it was not any golf pro – it was Martin Kaymer, the number one German golfer, winner of the 2010 PGAThe Professional Golfers Association (PGA) is the usual term for the professional association in men’s golf. Championship, and in 2011 the second youngest golfer ever number one in the world ranking list. Read on to learn more about my day with Martin and how tennis ace Andrea Petkovic came into play.
How I got into this
Basically, it was all thanks to the TaylorMade-adidas GolfTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family.) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family. family. Pro-Am Tournament, which took place this Monday on the golf course in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The adidas Group CEOThe Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company is the highest-ranking corporate officer and in charge of total management of an organisation., Herbert Hainer, had invited a group of celebrities from the sports, corporate and entertainment sectors to play with 10 members of the TaylorMade-adidas GolfTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family.) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family. family. Tour Staff, including professionals such as Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke and David Lynn. adidas Group employees were given the opportunity to apply in advance to be a caddie for one of the 10 pros. A raffle decided the winners and I was lucky enough to hit the jackpot, becoming the caddie for Martin Kaymer. And there was another lucky coincidence: Martin had promised Andrea Petkovic, the professional tennis player and a member of adidas’ athlete family, beforehand that she could be his caddie for the day; this is why I also had the chance to also spend my day with her. Motivated by all these positive things to look forward to, I arrived very early at the golf club to meet with the other nine caddies and to have a quick chat over coffee. Most of us are very much into golf and my impression was that we all made an effort to play down our nervousness – after all, you don’t meet your sporting heroes on a daily basis. One after the other professional arrived, and when Martin finally showed up I introduced myself to him and his manager. My first impression of Martin proved to be right throughout the entire day: he is a very easy, communicative, friendly, open-minded and uncomplicated person – a star without airs and graces.
Guiding a number one German golfer over my home golf course
I have been working with the adidas Group for two years now. In my position as Sports Marketing Manager for Indoor Sports and Marathon, it is my daily business to meet athletes and to get to know them. But being a golf enthusiast and player for more than 10 years already, caddying for Martin Kaymer was a totally new and great experience for me. What impressed me most is how encouraging and supportive Martin is. He entertained his entire flight, always in a good mood. Whenever someone’s game failed or someone struggled, he was the first to encourage and motivate the respective person. Before the tournament, the pros showed their skills within various small competitions like Show Driving and Chipping at a goal wall in a Golf Clinic. Plenty of media were there to cover all the famous players but also the famous guests like football legend Franz Beckenbauer, president of FC Bayern Munich Uli Hoeneß and the popular German TV host Thomas Gottschalk. Martin was very relaxed in this situation, answering all questions and signing plenty of autographs for the fans – all with his personal signing pen which he had in his trouser pocket all day, always ready to whip it out. He survived the media circus and made his way down to Tee 1 where we started.
Happy to caddie – what a caddie needs to do….
You probably can imagine that it felt a bit strange to give golf advice to one of the best golfers on this planet. However, as a caddie my role was not only to carry his bag but also to give him advice in selecting his clubs and the specifics of each hole. Additionally, I cleaned the clubs and helped him read the putts on the green. During the first one to three tees, everyone in our flight seemed to feel a bit tense as there were a lot of visitors and even a real golf pro watching and media surrounding the group. But when the visitor group following the flight became smaller and smaller, you could that the players were more confident. Before every drive, we shortly discussed the route on the birdie book and I advised him where to target. His skills in doing so impressed me a lot, as almost all the time he managed to bring the ball exactly to the point I had shown him before. It turned out that Andrea and I were the perfect caddie team for Martin. She assumed the role of entertaining the flight with her jokes and her good mood, I took care of supporting Martin in terms of golf, and in the end Martin even turned out to be the winner out of all the professional golfers.
“This is the first and last time that I carry a bag for a man”
Andrea was a real asset for the day. She always had a joke on her lips, which helped to break the ice right from the beginning. It turned out that Martin and Andrea really get on well and both teased each other a lot during the whole day. At hole number 3, it was time for her to try her first drive of her own and later she also got a teaching session in putting from Martin. However, Andrea and I agreed that it was better that she sticks to her function as the flight’s entertainer.
A true employee highlight
To sum up, it was a really fun and relaxed tournament day. I am really impressed by this young but so convincing and down-to-earth golf pro I had the chance to get to know a little bit closer. Being the caddie for Martin Kaymer at the TaylorMade-adidas GolfTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family.) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family. family. Pro-Am was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime highlight for a golf enthusiast like me. I wish him all the best for his career and hope that we will have the chance to meet again – maybe for another 18 holes at the golf course in Herzogenaurach…
To get a closer insight into the event, please click through the picture gallery below.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Short-termed discussion about the next drive
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Especially at the first hole a lot of visitors and media watched the tee-off
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
The birdie book helps to outline the course
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Martin Kaymer giving his best at the Pro-Am
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Yes, this bag is heavy! But this is what the caddie job is like
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Club selection for and together with the pro
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Martin teaching Andrea doing her first drive
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Doesn't look too bad
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Martin and his two caddies discussing the terms of the course
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Putting at its best with Martin Kaymer
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Reading the green to find the perfect line
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Almost after every hole Martin and Andrea celebrated by bodychecking each other
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Thanks for a funny day, Andrea
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Pro-Am 2012
Tidying up when the pro leaves the ground
Update: Kaymer vs. Garcia
Additionally we have a short video clip, showing Martin Kaymer’s Golf skills. See how he and Sergio Garcia played the UEFA EURO 2012 final all Germans wanted to see: Germany vs. Spain with Franz Beckenbauer beeing the referee.
For more videos about the TaylorMade-adidas GolfTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family.) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaGTaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG) has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the adidas Group, which was the birth of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. In 2008, golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear manufacturer Ashworth became part of the TMaG family. family. Pro-Am 2012 take a look at TaylorMade’s facebook page.
