Mustafa Koç, Chairman of Koç Holdings, has received the PGAs of Europe Special Recognition Award for his contribution to the Association as well as to the development and growth of golf in Turkey.
Mustafa is renowned throughout Turkey and Europe for his involvement with a vast array of business areas such as the automotive, financial and energy industries.
But his most well-known connection with golf would come in the form of his company Beko who are keen supporters of golf across Europe, particularly with the Beko Classic Pro-Am that continues to be a key event on the PGAs of Europe tournament schedule.
“It is a great honour to receive this award from my friends at the PGAs of Europe,” explained Mustafa. “It has always been a great pleasure to have the PGAs of Europe closely involved with our golfing projects and the Beko Classic Pro-Am in particular.
“I strongly believe that golf can bring great benefits to us all through improving Turkey’s own prospects, but also by promoting the best possible standards for individuals and businesses across the globe, and we are providing all of the support we can.”
When the Beko Classic Pro-Am began 20 years ago, it immediately brought a key audience to a then fledgling destination for golf. The tournament assisted golf’s development in Turkey by acting as a catalyst for bringing both amateur golfers and PGA Professionals alike to the country and promoting the benefits of the game for tourism, the economy and more.
The event’s popularity has continued to grow stronger and stronger and is exemplified by the calibre of professionals that regularly play in the event such as current Ryder Cup Team Europe Captain, Darren Clarke, and the winner of the 2014 Beko Classic, John Daly.
“My own passion for golf has been long-standing,” added Mustafa. “That is why I was so keen to get a tournament started that could bring the best players to Turkey to experience what it has to offer. I have a great love of the outdoors and golf is the perfect way to experience and enjoy the Turkish climate and the beautiful facilities we have.”
“We are very pleased to be able to pass this award on to Mustafa in recognition of everything he has done for the Association and for golf in Turkey,” said PGAs of Europe Chief Executive, Ian Randell.
“Mustafa has been a real influencer for golf in Turkey and it is safe to say that the sport has benefited hugely from his passion, especially when you think about the events that have taken place in Turkey in recent times such as the Turkish Airlines Opens on both the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Mustafa has become a great friend to the PGAs of Europe and we are extremely proud of the strong relationship that we have with him and his team at Beko.”
Mustafa was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and studied in both Switzerland and the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts / Science degree from George Washington University. Koç Holdings began with Mustafa’s grandfather, the late Vehbi Koç, and his first company in 1926. It has since grown to be one of the largest companies in Europe with an active presence in various fields such as technology, energy, retail and agriculture employing around 90,000 people across over 110 companies.
The Koç family also share their name with not only a vast company but also a number of social initiatives such as various museums, a charitable foundation, as well as a University in Istanbul.
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