The week of the Open Championship is always an exciting time for me, especially being a golf enthusiast and a single handicapper myself. I have worked for 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. for three and a half years now, having moved to PR/Marketing Executive in April last year, so when I was given my first opportunity to manage a TaylorMade event on the Monday during the Open Championship, I couldn’t wait to get started!

It meant that I could really use my creativity and have my say with the whole look and feel of the event, alongside our event agency. 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. Marketing team created a unique film documentary with our Tour players and this was to be showcased at a red carpet, film premiere style event.

Over the past three months, TaylorMade went behind the scenes with some of the game’s leading talents to examine just what the world of today’s modern golfer looks like. Following Darren Clarke’s Major triumph last year, ‘Outside The Ropes’ is a film which gets up close and personal with the defending Open champion and includes a star-studded cast of Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson and Camilo Villegas.

The pursuit of Major success is something that every golfer strives for but in a game that hinges on the finest margins, what does it take to win golf’s ultimate prize?

The film documentary provides a holistic insight into a golfer’s life, through unrivalled access to each player, away from the course for the very first time. From diet to meticulous physical, psychological and technological preparation, the reality for top players in the modern era is that the game is much more than simply four tournament days; it’s sweat, toil and sacrifice seven days a week. Today, professional golfers are fitter, younger and more mentally prepared than ever.

See the ‘Outside the Ropes’ trailer here (The full version to follow very soon!):

The Event…

To launch this production, my responsibility was to create an event to launch the ‘Outside The Ropes’ film documentary. This was my first own event project and the pressure was on as it was not only one of the biggest marketing events budgets since I have worked for the company, but obviously also the most important golf tournament in Europe – The Open Championship.

So on Monday, during the week of the Open, the event took place at Lytham Hall in Lytham St. Anne’s. Being very aware that this event needed to be sophisticated, classy and glamorous, for me Lytham Hall was the perfect location for the premiere, with gas flambos lining the grand arch entrance and the red carpet. I really wanted it to look impressive on arrival as media and guests approached the venue.

Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson, all dressed in suit and tie

We had the pleasure of welcoming 4 of our stars of the film to our event – Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson, all dressed in suit and tie to fit in with the film premiere style. Something you don’t see the Tour players wearing too often! There was a fantastic buzz when the players arrived on the red carpet, which was covered by key media, including main UK/European publications, national newspapers, Sky Sports, BBC, as well as key retailers and VIPs.

Ben Sharpe, Managing DirectorMDMD stands for Managing Director. stands for Managing Director. for 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. welcomed guests with a speech, and guests were then ushered into the screening rooms, where popcorn and ice cream was waiting for them already – the rooms filled with the typical sweet smell of a movie theatre. The premiere of ‘Outside the Ropes’ was screened simultaneously in two separate rooms, one for the media and the other for retailers, followed by a Q&A with the players for the media to really add to the occasion.

Sergio Garcia arriving on the red carpet

Finally, we welcomed our special guests, a string quartet, who provided great entertainment and fitted in perfectly within the film premiere style event and the grand location.

It was a great start to the Open Championship week, an exciting challenge and one which I thoroughly enjoyed, even though us marketing guys don’t get to stay to watch the golf. It was back to the office for me on the Thursday morning.