London, England: Wentworth Club has appointed 2015 BMW PGA champion An Byeong-hun as its Global Ambassador until 2019.
The ambassadorial role will see An represent Wentworth Club all around the world, with the aim of introducing and promoting the club to global audiences and, most particularly, young aspiring golfers.
An’s appointment came on the eve of last week’s BMW PGA Championship – a tournament that An won so spectacularly last year. Aged 23, he became the first Asian winner in the tournament’s history, with his 21-under-par tournament score setting a new championship record.
An is currently ranked 26th in the world and his whole career has been marked by record breaking successes. In 2009, aged 17, he was the youngest winner of the US Amateur Championship. Turning pro in 2011, he became the first South Korean to win the Rolex Trophy in 2014.
Commenting on his appointment, An said: “Wentworth is a special place for me after winning here last year kick-started my career. I am proud and excited to be taking my association further as an ambassador for this prestigious club and will be telling golfers wherever I play around the world about Wentworth.”
Wentworth Club Chief Executive Stephen Gibson said: “We are delighted to welcome Ben into the Wentworth family. He is an incredible young talent and a wonderful, passionate ambassador for golf.
“His sportsmanship and global outlook reflect the values and vision for our club and he’ll be a fantastic guiding influence for our young members. We cannot wait to start working with him over the next three years.”
The appointment of An as the club’s Global Ambassador follows the recent appointment of Ernie Els Design – a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation – as course designer for the improvements to the West Course.
Reignwood Group has committed to invest £20 million in the next two years to transform the club’s facilities and courses and make Wentworth the world’s premier private golf and country club.