Expect bigger, expect better - this is the ‘must enter' event for IFAs in 2011. Gary Dale of Investec tells Rob Kingsbury about this year's competition
Register now for the Investec Structured Products Open
The Investec Structured Products Open 2010 was such an overwhelming success that “there was simply no question about whether we would run the competition again in 2011,” says Gary Dale, head of intermediary sales, derivatives and structured products at Investec.
“The feedback we have had from all who took part has been superb, and in view of the tremendous interest in the competition, we have decided to double the number of entrants we can accept. So this year, we are taking 640 entries and will be playing the qualifying rounds at 12 courses around the UK. We will be looking to include as broad a spread of IFAs as we can and to match them to the nearest courses.”
For Gary and Investec there is a real drive to establish the Investec Structured Products Open as the ‘must enter’ event each year.
“We want this competition to become a firm favourite in the IFA calendar, something the whole industry can look forward to – a great event with great prizes. We have already set the precedent because the Investec Open is much bigger than just a corporate golf day, and we want to build from there.”
To achieve that feel, from the minute that IFAs arrived for the qualifying events of the 2010 Open, Investec ensured they received the personal touch. This included the valeting of cars, a prepared breakfast, social time to mingle with other players, gifts throughout the day and some exceptional caddying.
The latter was singled out for praise by more than one player, including the 2010 Open winner Gary McKinstry. He said: “The caddies were great. They all had our names on their back so it felt like we were professionals. My caddy’s clubbing was A1, and we had a good laugh going round, which eased the tension and probably helped me win.”
So can Investec top that this year? “We think we can,” says Gary Dale. “We want the same great feel to the day, with the personal touch being core, and for IFAs to feel they have been entertained all day. But we also want to bring in some new and fresh ideas. So we have a few surprises up our sleeves.” He is giving nothing away at this stage but given last year’s attention to detail you can bet it will be something befitting the high calibre of this event.
The main prize will again be the fabulous golfing weekend for two, plus partners, at St Andrews. Likewise, the final will be played again at Turnberry. “This is not just because we think it is a great course and a deserving prize, it is the feedback we have had from IFAs,” Gary says. “The Ailsa Course at Turnberry is absolutely magnificent, it is one of the best to play, with recognised holes for golfers, and the same goes for the weekend of golf at St Andrews.
“It is this quality about the competition that we want to maintain,” says Gary. “We would like the Investec Structured Products Open to be recognised as the event that stands head and shoulders above any others.”
Investec will hope to get IFAs even more involved in this year’s event, and will be making use of Twitter and LinkedIn to keep people abreast of what is happening during the qualifying rounds and maybe stir up a bit of competition.
The organising team will also be looking at how it can use the Investec YouTube channel to enhance the competition. “We think it can add a lot of value to the whole event,” says Gary.
The rules stay the same as in 2010. Investec has decided to retain the three-quarter handicap that it used last year “to try to keep it as fair as possible”, Gary says.
Gary hopes to improve on his personal game and ranking in 2011 – he came in at 33 out of 34 in the 2010 final – but with the competition looking likely to be even stiffer than last year’s event, he admits readily “it’s going to be tough”.
How to enter
Register for the 2011 event by clicking on Investec Open on the Investec home page: www.investecstructuredproducts.com.
Deadline for entries is: 8 April 2011.
