WHEN he was approached to return as a sponsor for The Business Times Corporate Golf League, Markus Schuster – the managing director of Audi Singapore – did not hesitate to say yes.

The annual league, presented by Singapore Pools, has always been an “excellent networking platform” that provides opportunities for people to forge stronger professional and personal relationships on the golf course, the 48-year-old told The Business Times (BT) recently.

Audi Singapore is both the official automotive partner, as well as the sponsor of the tournament’s hole-in-one prize. Anyone who registers an ace in any of the four legs of the event will win a brand new Audi A6.

“Beyond connecting with esteemed business leaders across Singapore and the region, the event also provides opportunities to meet with many of our customers on the fairways and greens as well, and have the pleasure to converse with them in person,” said Schuster.

The association with BT is also something that he values, for the publication has “significant influence” across key business sectors in Singapore and the region. He added that the newspaper is aligned with Audi’s brand values of prestige and progress.

This year’s BT Corporate Golf League teed off on Feb 9 at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course, with Schuster’s Audi Sport team currently third in the competitive category of the event. The second leg took place at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines course on Friday (Mar 3).

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Schuster shared that he started playing golf shortly after moving to Singapore in 2019. The first competition he took part in was the Audi quattro Cup held that year.

The Audi quattro Cup, inaugurated in 1991, is one of the largest amateur golf tournament series in the world. To date, it is held across 38 countries including Singapore, with over 600 tournaments and 70,000 players every year. Last year, the country winners of the 2021 and 2022 editions travelled to Rome to compete at the world finals.

“My fascination with golf is that it combines many characteristics that are important in many life and business issues – the need for a clear mind, precision, patience, constant improvement and a humble attitude to failure,” he said.

What’s more, he says there is nothing better than spending time outdoors with good friends who share the same passion.

Given his limited play time and practice, Schuster is working hard to get his handicap to below 20.

“Unfortunately, my time is limited due to my busy schedule. I try to hit the range after work as often as I can, and I’m happy if I get to play twice a month with friends,” he said.

Unsurprisingly, his favourite golfer of all time is his countryman Bernhard Langer, one of the world’s leading golfers in the 1980s and 1990s and a two-time Masters champion.

“He was my idol when I was growing up in Germany, and he’s definitely still one of the all-time greats. And obviously Tiger Woods too, who changed the game forever and is an inspiration. I still watch some of his plays in disbelief.”

With the BT Corporate Golf League now in full swing, Schuster said he is looking forward to heading out onto the course for the rest of the legs and to perform well enough to win the tournament.

“I would like to see the event grow with more teams and greater competition. We celebrate the continued success of the BT Corporate Golf League, especially with its return following the pandemic, and are proud to sponsor and participate in the event again,” he said.

This article is brought to you by Audi Singapore.