Mercedes-Benz has been a long time supporter of the game of golf, whether it’s supporting an elite group of pro golfers or raising money for charity through their Mercedes-Benz Dealer Golf Championship, Mercedes has played a large role in the game of golf. In fact, this week marks a 20-year milestone for the Mercedes-Benz brand’s involvement in the sport of golf.

In order to mark the occasion, Mercedes-Benz will honor its global golf Ambassador, Bernhard Langer, who also reaches a 20-year anniversary for his win at the 57th Masters in 1993, which put him in an elite group of professional golfers who have worn the coveted green jacket more than once. Mercedes-Benz is recognizing Langer during a ceremony at River Island to celebrate the occasion and his successful list of accomplishments both on and off the course.

“Mercedes-Benz and our dealers have proudly supported the game of golf for the past two decades. Golf embodies skill, precision and drive which are themes shared by Mercedes-Benz and our owners,” said Stephen Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. “Our global brand ambassador, Bernhard Langer embodies these characteristics and it’s fitting that we are celebrating both milestones together.”

Mercedes-Benz continues to be a leading supporter of golf around the world. The Mercedes-Benz brand is Official Patron and Vehicle of The PGA of America. As the official Patron, Mercedes-Benz is a supporter of the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and the 2012 Ryder Cup. From 1994-2009, Mercedes-Benz was the title sponsor of the Mercedes Championship in Kapalua, Hawaii.

Within the U.S., the three-pointed star is currently involved in several high-profile golf tournaments, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Wells Fargo Championship, AT&T National, Northern Trust Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and World Challenge presented by Northwestern Mutual.

“The PGA of America is extremely proud of our partnership with Mercedes-Benz and we salute them for their commitment to the game over the last 20 years,” said Pete Bevacqua, CEO, PGA of America. “The Mercedes-Benz brand and its dealers have supported and promoted golf on a variety of levels, all the while raising money for charities and giving back to communities.”

Since 1993, Mercedes-Benz dealers have hosted tournaments in their local communities for golf enthusiasts and customers as part of the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Golf Championship. The entry fees are donated to charities as part of the tournament activities. In 2012, the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championship program consisted of 84 tournaments played by over 5,850 participants that raised $2.15 million for charity. The regional sectionals were played at Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii in November.

The Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championship program in the U.S is part of a globally supported group of International tournaments with more than 65,000 people participating per year from 60 countries. For more information, visit www.mbusa.com/sports.

“The Masters has a special status in Mercedes-Benz’ sports sponsorship portfolio. Our brand committment ‘The Best or Nothing’ fits perfectly with the world’s most prestigious golf tournament. It’s a great honour for us to be part of the Masters as both brands are connected by the passion for perfection,” says Lüder Fromm, Director of Global Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Joining long-time Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Bernhard Langer, Australia’s Adam Scott is expected to tee off for the first time as a new Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador at the Masters. The two golfers are part of an exclusive Meet & Greet for Mercedes-Benz customers. The get-togethers with Scott, last year’s runner-up (T2), and Langer, a two-time Masters champion, are part of an exclusive experiential programme in Augusta for selected Mercedes-Benz customers from around the world.

Lüder Fromm: “In addition to all our golfing activity during Masters week, we will exclusively preview the new Mercedes-Benz SL, which officially launches in the US on April 28, to invited Mercedes-Benz guests. The new SL is the physical representation of ‘living the perfect legend’ and, therefore, ideally suited to be previewed during Masters week.”

Following its success during last year’s Masters week, the Mercedes-Benz Performance Center will once again be open to the public at Mercedes-Benz of Augusta. Two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans serve as a home for the overall US PGA Performance Center incorporating high-tech golf teaching technologies to improve important skills such as putting and swing mechanics.

Mercedes-Benz has been involved in the professional sport of golf since the 1980s and now in 2012 Mercedes-Benz is extremely proud to be an international partner of three Major tournaments. On a national market level, Mercedes-Benz also supports a variety of professional tournaments around the globe.

In amateur golf, Mercedes-Benz created and still organises the MercedesTrophy, a worldwide premium tournament series for amateurs, it will take place for the 23rd time in 2012. More than 60,000 golfers in over 60 countries play each year in MercedesTrophy events. These participants compete to enter the MercedesTrophy World Final in September. The best individual players and teams are honoured in Stuttgart, the “birthplace of the automobile”, where they also have an opportunity to gain exclusive insight into the world of Mercedes-Benz and in addition, as do all MercedesTrophy players worldwide, take part in the “Drive to the Major” competition.