Unforgettable golfing experience for racing driver Kévin Estre at the side of the world class golfer Paul Casey. On the day of the Porsche Singapore Classic’s Pro-Am tournament, Frenchman Estre immersed himself in the world of golf with the help of the Englishman Casey, enjoying unique experiences at the Laguna National Golf Resort one day before of the tournament that marks the start of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing. After the time spent together with entertaining duels at several stations in the Spectator Village and a personal coaching session at the club, the two teed off one after the other in the Pro-Am. The pair jointly brought the exciting day to a close at the evening event.
.jpg/jcr:content/Paul-Casey-and-Kevin-Estre-during-practice-session-(1).jpg)
“It was a lot of fun being able to show Kévin the special world of a professional golf event,” said Casey. “We got on super well and had a great time together. I’m now looking forward to him taking me to a race,” laughed the Porsche enthusiast. Estre was also thrilled, saying: “It really was a perfect day of golf right from the first second. It was an unforgettable experience.”
In the morning, Casey and Estre went head-to-head in several not quite so serious games in the Spectator Village. At Par Tee Time, the former world No. 3 used his experience to place 18 balls on 18 tees far quicker than his rival. It was the same in the Putting Challenge when Casey took full advantage of his experience. Estre however profited from the short greens and from the professional assistance given to him by 46-year-old top golfer, like later at the intensive coaching session on the driving range for the pros.
Estre about Casey: “He knows a lot about motorsport”
“I learnt a lot from him,” raved Estre who took up the game about four years ago. “It’s incredible how quickly he was able to help me. And at the same time, world class golfers make everything look so easy. One thing is for certain, I’m now even more motivated to work on my game.” Like when recording the 9:11 podcast a few years ago, the 35-year-old was impressed by the sports car knowledge shown by Casey, the hobby racer. “Paul is a super person to talk to about motorsport. He’s very passionate, wants to know everything and at the same time knows a lot himself, and has practical experience. I’m looking forward to meeting up with him again.”
Casey for his part was impressed by Estre’s ability to put new things into practice. “With him, you can really feel he’s a professional sportsman. He’s got an incredibly high athletic IQ, as I call it. He understood my advice immediately and put it into practice. He’s sure to go a long way as a golfer.”
It was also visible in the Pro-Am tournament in which they went out onto the course one after the other. Estre, who a few weeks ago won the season’s opening World Endurance Championship race in Doha in a Porsche 963, enjoyed an “incredibly nice round. It really was a fabulous experience.” A big part in it all was played, in addition to the course, by the golf influencer Rebecca De Foe and above all the pro Rafa Cabrera Bello, the Spanish 2016 Ryder Cup player. “It was a fantastic group, and we had a lot of fun. And Rafa is a great guy and one that gave us lots of tips out on the course,” as Estre mentioned in the evening.
Official opening of the Porsche Panamera Shootout
Overjoyed by the exceptional day, he and Casey officially opened the Porsche Panamera Shootout in the evening in a spectacular setting framed by numerous Pro-Am participants. A Nearest-to-the-Pin competition in the Spectator Village gives visitors the opportunity to qualify for the ultimate chance to win the hole-in-one prize on the 17th. On Sunday after the tournament finishes, the best contestants will, like the pros on their four rounds from 21 to 24 March, play for a Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid.
Meet&Greet for international Porsche customers
The international guests could also benefit from the experience of the two Porsche fans and top sportsmen. At a Meet&Greet, they gave Porsche customers enthralling insights into their lives and their sports.
At the start of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, a top-class playing field will compete for the title on the Laguna National Golf Resort Club’s Classic Course, including top stars like the Porsche Brand Ambassador Paul Casey from England, the Irish Major and Ryder Cup winner Shane Lowry, title holder Ockie Strydom from South Africa and the French US PGA Tour winner Matthieu Pavon.
The final rounds of the Porsche Singapore Classic will start on Saturday morning, 23 March. Tickets for the tournament are available via the DP World Tour website.
Porsche in golf
Porsche has been involved in golf since 1988 through the Porsche Golf Cup. The tournament series is one of the company’s most successful customer events and has developed into an international event in which over 17,000 Porsche customers recently took part in 261 worldwide qualifying tournaments. After becoming involved in professional golf for the first time in 2015 as the title sponsor of the DP World Tour’s prestigious Porsche European Open, Porsche was then instrumental in establishing the tournament as a top golf event in Germany. As the new title sponsor of the Porsche Singapore Classic, the sports car manufacturer is internationalising its commitment to professional golf in the important Asian market. Car partnerships at US PGA Tour and DP World Tour tournaments, including the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana as well as in women’s golf – the Amundi Evian Championship – round off its involvement in professional golf. Launched in 2017, the Porsche Golf Circle is also highly successful. The international community for keen golf-playing Porsche customers gives members the opportunity to enjoy exclusive golfing experiences at unique locations and at professional tournaments. Paul Casey has been complementing the Porsche family since 2020 as the first Brand Ambassador from the game of golf.