For the first time in its 125-year history, try The Nairn Golf Club has given its support to Ladies European Tour-rookie Pamela Pretswell who will wear the famous cross-club logo and represent the prestigious Highland club during her first season on tour.

The association is especially significant as Pamela’s last amateur match was played out over the famous Scottish links when she helped GB&I to win the Curtis Cup in a historic victory over America last year. The remarkable result, physician and the bonds that were formed during it, created the perfect foundations on which to base a formal arrangement between the club and Pamela.

“I have been back many times to Nairn since the Curtis Cup and, to be honest, it feels like my second home,” she said. “I love it there; the people are so friendly, the views are stunning and there aren’t many golf courses like it. I feel very proud to be representing a great club like Nairn with such a long history and an established worldwide reputation. The whole thing gives me a lot of confidence.”

Created through the combined creative efforts of Archie Simpson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Ben Sayers, The Nairn Golf Club is a regular entry in various top 25 course rankings and is one of Scotland’s most treasured links courses. Until now, the club has resisted the idea of formalising relationships with tour players but the historic home win seems to have presented the perfect opportunity to make its first notable commitment.

“Pamela is a phenomenal talent and The Nairn Golf Club is proud to support her at the start of her professional career,” noted Ian Cooper, the club’s captain. “Pamela’s involvement in last year’s Curtis Cup was immense and we felt it was appropriate that our first association with a professional golfer should be with one of the key members of that historic winning team. We look forward to helping Pamela throughout her career and no doubt celebrating with her in the future.”

The Nairn Golf Club joins two other sponsors actively supporting Pamela during her first season on the Ladies European Tour. As Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, noted, the 23-year-old’s attributes both on and of the course make her a perfect brand ambassador.

“Dedication and hard work are qualities we actively look for in our global golf ambassadors and Pamela is currently doing a great job representing our brand all over the world,” he said. “We wish her every success and the best of luck for the remainder of the season.”

The San Diego Triathlon and Paratriathlon have announced new sponsors.

Leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic shoes and apparel, ASICS America, has been named the Official Apparel Partner of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, 2013 in Mission Beach, Calif.

Serving as the Official Apparel Partner of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego for the first time, ASICS will provide gift certificates for a free pair of ASICS performance running shoes to the top 50 most-improved run split performances from last year’s event among age-group competitors. Participants in both the Olympic-distance and sprint races are eligible.

In addition, ASICS will support the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego with athlete, volunteer, medical and swim safety T-shirts, as well as apparel for event staff.

One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport.

“ASICS and the ITU World Triathlon Series are leading brands among the world’s best triathletes, and we are excited to have ASICS play a key role in the upcoming Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego,” said Jamey Sunshine, Lagardère Unlimited Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. “Given ASICS’ strong presence and popularity within triathlon, we feel this partnership is an excellent match.”

The Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego is co-produced by USA Triathlon and the Hamburg, Germany-based UpSolut Sports AG and Lagardère Unlimited.

“ASICS is proud to be the Official Apparel Partner for such a prestigious competition and we look forward to beginning this exciting partnership,” said Erik Forsell, ASICS America Vice President of Marketing. “This partnership further strengthens our existing presence within the triathlon space and truly demonstrates our passion and commitment across all sports.”

While the the 2013 CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego has revealed San Diego-based Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) has been named the title sponsor of the event.

The CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego will feature more than 50 paratriathletes competing in the same venue as the world’s top elite triathletes.

“Since our inception, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has been a leader in the paratriathlon movement, introducing hundreds of athletes to the sport and helping them to maximize their potential,” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of CAF. “We are excited to have this opportunity to further the development and visibility of the sport within both the challenged athlete and the triathlon communities.”

Team Rossi Motorsports, LLC, the managing company for Caterham F1 Team, Reserve Driver, Alexander Rossi have announced the extension of their partnership with Alaska Coffee Roasting through 2013.

The California based firm that looks after the American (21) is focused on corporate commercial alignments that make sense for both Alexander Rossi and Caterham F1 team.

“Alaska Coffee Roasting is all about the highest quality and passion for excellence”, commented Pieter Rossi, Team Rossi Motorsports, LLC, Principal and Business Development. “Michael’s passion to produce the best cup of coffee on the planet is parallel to Alexander’s passion and determination to be the best and reach the highest level of motorsport, F1. We are proud of our long time business association with Alaska Coffee Roasting. It is our goal to continue to utilize the business to business and branding opportunities associated with the sport to enhance their business model and growth.”

“The first time I watched Alexander drive was 2004 during a Red Bull shoot out karting event”, said Michael Gesser, Founder and CEO of Alaska Coffee Roasting Company. “That day I knew Alexander would make F1, without a doubt. I’d never seen such focus, resilience and determination to succeed and he was only 13 at the time. All is can say is; this is has been an awesome journey and it’s only just beginning. Can’t wait for the next chapter!

“My career is similar to life, it is about the people”, commented Alexander Rossi. “Sure, it’s about hard work and doing what you love to succeed, but without the people like Michael and all my supporters including Caterham, my bid to F1 this past decade would not have been possible.”

Founded in 1994, the Fairbanks, Alaska based boutique coffee company is known for its quality and craft of some of the finest coffee in the world. Alaska Coffee Roasting has been a partner of Rossi since the end of 2007 and will continue with current arrangement through 2013. Since their partnership began, Alaska Coffee have enjoyed and recognized increased business growth in same store sales and online sales, with their latest expansion into Florida last year.

Alexander Rossi will make his 2013 debut F1 outing in the Caterham CT03 during Friday free practice 1 at Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal, June 7th.

AirAsia has signed a one-year sponsorship contract with rising young squash star, Low Wee Wern. 

The 22-year-old Penangite is ranked sixth in the world and second in the country.

Since having picked up the game at the age of 8, she has won numerous championships, including three Asian Junior Championship titles and the prestigious British Junior Open.

Having turned professional in 2008, she has grown from strength to strength and even broke into the top 20 at a younger age compared to fellow Penangite, World No 1 Datuk Nicol David.

AirAsia Bhd’s chief executive officer Aireen Omar said: “We are extremely proud to support Low Wee Wern who already has an illustrious career at such young age.

“This sponsorship is a testament to AirAsia’s on-going commitment to nurture young talents and provide a platform for them to excel globally.”

Aireen added that Malaysia was not only able to produce young talents but also to develop and fuel their growth.

“It is time we create our own local stars and heroes that all Malaysians can look up to,” he said.

Low, in thanking AirAsia, said she would definitely do her best to make Malaysia proud and keep the Jalur Gemilang flying high.

“Thank you AirAsia for making my dreams possible. I am looking forward to a successful partnership with the world’s best low-cost carrier too,” said Low. By Lee Keng Fatt

The ACTIVE Network, pills Inc., pharmacy order the leader in cloud-based Activity and Participant Management (APM) solutions, story have announced a three-year partnership with Triathlon series, IRONMAN.

As the Official Registration Partner and Official Global Sponsor of IRONMAN, ACTIVE will continue to serve the needs of athletes by offering race registration solutions through a single, global technology platform for IRONMAN’s nearly 190 events worldwide across five brands.

“It’s our goal to provide our world-class athletes with the best participant experience possible – from the registration process to the finish line,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN). “We believe ACTIVE is the only technology partner sophisticated enough to do this for us on a global scale. For 35 years, IRONMAN has taken pride by offering world-class events, and by continuing our relationship with ACTIVE, our athletes will have access to outstanding technology that enables a simple registration process so that the focus remains on their training journey and race day experience.”

ACTIVE’s Vice President of Sales, Mike Reilly, has seen the expansion of IRONMAN triathlons worldwide and the relationship between ACTIVE and IRONMAN take root and flourish.

“Since 1999, ACTIVE has powered hundreds of IRONMAN events and registered tens of thousands of participants,” Reilly said. “Participation in IRONMAN events has skyrocketed in the past decade and races are selling out faster than ever. The 2013 IRONMAN Florida, for example, sold out in less than a minute – a new record for IRONMAN registration. As the global popularity of the sport grows, I am honored to continue to welcome athletes across the finish line and proclaim them an IRONMAN.”

“As IRONMAN’s technology needs have developed over the past two decades, so has the sophistication of our activity and participant management technology solutions,” added Dave Alberga, executive chairman at ACTIVE Network. “Our ongoing relationship with IRONMAN is significant to us and we look forward to continuing to power IRONMAN athletes around the world.”

Tsogo Sun, site the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, has revealed a extended partnership with Western Province Rugby as official hotel and casino partner to WP Rugby and the DHL WP representative teams.

Tsogo Sun’s existing relationship as the official hotel supplier to WP Rugby has now been extended to include two properties from their gaming arm, The Caledon Casino, Hotel and Spa in the Overberg Region and Mykonos Casino on the Cape West Coast.

The inclusion of these two new destinations will have important CSI implications for the Overberg and West Coast communities. Tsogo Sun initiatives will include bursaries for promising players to attend the WP Rugby Institute which has already developed the likes of star forwards Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.

Schools and clubs in these areas will benefit from coaching clinics and signing sessions with their rugby heroes – including the recent session with the DHL Stormers coaching staff and players, as well as the upcoming session with the DHL WP team and coaches, at the Caledon Casino. School kids will also be transported to watch each of the DHL Stormers and other DHL WP home games, so that they can have first-hand experience of the magic of DHL Newlands.

Tsogo Sun is one of the South African Rugby Union’s longest standing sponsors, with a relationship that extends from grassroot levels right up to the Springbok national team.

Tsogo Sun’s Group Sales Director, Neil Fraser, commented: “This new contract with WP Rugby is an example of Tsogo Sun’s ongoing commitment to investing in and developing South African Rugby.

“We look forward to playing a significant role in unearthing new rugby talent in the Cape West Coast and Overberg Regions, and accommodating all the WP teams and officials at our various hotels across the country.”

“When you travel, as a player, it’s always nice to know that when you stay at any Tsogo Sun Hotel you don’t have to worry about anything away from the game – all your needs are taken care of.”

WP Rugby CEO Rob Wagner commented: “The relationship between WP Rugby and Tsogo Sun is more than a commercial agreement. It’s a long-standing relationship built on trust and high standards and we look forward to this relationship developing more over the next three years.”