Bank of Ireland’s last foray into individual sponsorship of golfers yielded an Irish Open and three spectacular major successes with Padraig Harrington.
That was across 2007 and 2008, at a a time when the financial world was entering a period of previously unknown turmoil. Making the most of the association with sport at the top level of global interest was not the most important thing on the bank’s corporate mind but collective lessons will have been learnt about the value of such an association and now is the time to go again.
On the eve of the Irish Open at Fota Island, the bank announced that it was to sponsor Shane Lowry through to the end of 2016. That period will cover this week and two more Irish Open’s, ten majors and a possible tilt at the Olympics in Rio.
Lowry is a two time winner on the European Tour with victories in the 2009 Irish Open and 2012 Portuguese Masters and is currently ranked 75 in world golf rankings. He has already achieved 20 top ten finishes on the tour, and is an engaging personality.
He will sport the Bank’s branding on the left chest of his golf apparel in addition to hosting a number of corporate events for the Bank each year.
“We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Shane,” said Tom Hayes, Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking.
“As Ireland’s No 1 Corporate Bank we are committed to supporting Irish talent at home and abroad. Shane’s ambition to compete at the highest level on the global professional golf circuit aligns with our track record of supporting our customers to fulfil their business ambitions in Ireland and across international markets.”
“I am delighted to have the support of such a strong Irish brand as Bank of Ireland,” added Lowry.
“They have a long tradition of supporting Irish sport and as a proud Irishman I am honoured to join their team. I am very much looking forward to representing Bank of Ireland as I strive to fulfil my ambitions of rising up the World Rankings and competing in Major Championships over the coming years.”
It is likely that we will see some crossover between the Bank’s sponsorship of the Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby teams and this return to individual sport is on top of a five year deal backing the DCU GAA Academy in Glasnevin.
Lowry is on the cut line at level par after the opening day at Fota Island.
