David von Gunten - Natural Progression

“[In 2009] I had the pleasure to play with Lee Westwood [another Audemars Piguet ambassador] and last year we had the function with Rory McIlroy and it made me a bit frustrated. I don’t play very often and when that is the case the golf course certainly can get frustrating. So it made me make the decision to sign up for lessons.”
And like most who make that leap, Von Gunten has found the results have been instantaneous.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,’’ he says. “According to my pro at City Links [the indoor golf lounge in Central], there is promise there and we will work on it.”
And Audemars Piguet’s relationship with golf – which stretches back over more than 20 years with players such as Nick Faldo – will further enable Von Gunten further chances to improve his game.
“When the opportunity came to move back to Asia I jumped at it,” he admits. “In terms of business – as in Hong Kong and China – it is the best place in the world to be.
“The challenge I faced initially was to take over the distribution of the brand in China. We took over everything from June 2009 and it was some challenge. It took a lot of work but it was also very rewarding because the results are there in China.”
And, of course, there is the growth of the game of golf in both the mainland and around the region.
“In terms of golf, it is a sport that is very relevant to Audemars Piguet and to Asia. It’s a high-end sport that needs precision, a lot of training and a lot of energy. So it has common ties and common values with our brand for sure.
“Tradition, excellence and audacity are our core values and these core values can really be linked to the game as well.” - M.S.