St Andrews, Scotland: Nike Golf has announced the signing of Ashley Chesters with the 26-year-old making his maiden professional appearance at last month’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
English-born Chesters posted an impressive record as an amateur, including two European Amateur Championship victories, firstly in 2013 which qualified him for the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool – a tournament eventually won by fellow Nike athlete Rory McIlroy.
Chesters’ successful defence of the European Amateur Championship later that year secured a place at the 144th Open Championship in 2015 at St Andrews, where a superb display of ball-striking and game-management over the four days saw him finish tied 12th at the Home of Golf.
One of Chesters’ final acts in tournament golf as an amateur was to help the Great Britain and Ireland team defeat the United States in the Walker Cup at Royal Lytham and St Annes. He has now signed a multi-year, head-to-toe deal with the iconic Swoosh brand.
Speaking ahead of his debut professional start on the European Tour, Chesters said: “I’m looking forward to teeing it up for the first time as a professional and, having grown up playing Nike Golf equipment, it will be great to do so in Nike colours.
“Nike Golf has a track record of utilising their athletes when it comes to testing products and giving feedback to the engineering teams, and this is something I am extremely excited about. I will continue to work hard to build on the success I achieved as an amateur now I have turned professional.”
Nike Golf EMEA Sports Marketing Director Robin Murray hailed the signing of Chesters.
“Ashley is a fantastic player and we are pleased to have signed him to our professional ranks, especially given his preference for Nike Golf clubs as an amateur. Clearly, his record as an up-and-coming player was eye-catching, as was his fabulous performance at this year’s Open Championship.
“Given what we know of Ashley’s dedicated personality, we are confident he will be a fantastic addition to our Tour staff and we look forward to supporting him on his journey as a professional,” he said.
Nike Golf is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.