The Arena Group sets European standards at the Volvo World Match Play in Spain  

IMG’s Ross Hallett was responsible for producing the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship on behalf of the PGA in Spain, following a 1 year break and a move from its UK home of Wentworth. Volvo’s long association as sponsor’s of international golf was matched by Arena’s own vast international experience installing temporary structures and seating grandstands.

Mark Shelley was Arena Structure’s Project Manager, who ensured that both Volvo and the PGA’s brands were presented in the most professional manner. He said:
“The double deck Volvo Suite was the centre-piece of the site. A lot of attention was paid to the interior design which unusually had to incorporate some rare tree’s that were growing in the middle of the Suite! A couple of them were taller than the first level, so we created an atrium through the upper level and made a feature of them.”

Arena Structures also supplied the temporary media centre, public village, catering facilities and exhibition centre.

Arena Group companies worked in collaboration to give the organisers savings in regards to both monetary and carbon footprint terms. Arena Seating Director Bradley Merchant oversaw the installation all of the tiered spectator seating around the course, Arena Scaffolding’s Ross Tilston supplied the scoreboard and big screen supports, whilst Spaceworks’ Director Simon Durrell ensured the event furniture they supplied suited the event designs required.

As Mark (Shelley) was preparing the infrastructure for the Championships in Spain, Arena Structure’s Account Director Simon Marsh was dismantling a similar temporary overlay of temporary sponsors’ suites, hospitality, catering, media and retail facilities from Vilamoura. The famous Oceanico course had hosted the Portugal Masters the previous week, with a 4 million Euro prize fund also attracting a top field of international golfers, as Lee Westwood claimed the top prize..

Arena Structures Managing Director Grahame Muir commented:
“Supplying these two events highlights our international expansion this year, which is meeting the demands of European organisers to provide the same high standard facilities that organisers, sponsors and the public have come to expect from us in the UK. This has been underpinned by a combination of great people with experience in a wide variety of event environments and our equipment that is ideally suited for this purpose.”