McDowell heading for new horizons
Horizon Sports Management released a statement yesterday evening announcing that Graeme McDowell will leave the company when his current contract expires at the end of the year.
The golfer is not leaving to join another management company and intends instead to manage his own affairs into the future.
“I am at a stage in my life where it feels right to move on to the next phase of my career – both in golf and business,” said McDowell in the statement. “I’m now involved with a growing number of exciting business ventures, many of which Horizon helped me establish, and as the landscape evolves so must I.”
Both sides stress that there is no bad feeling with McDowell thanking the company and its CEO Conor Ridge.
“I would particularly like to thank Conor Ridge and the whole Horizon team for their vision, advice and commitment to my golf career and business affairs over the past seven years. Their integrity and professionalism are a mark of everything that Horizon represents. I look forward to their continued friendship and support in the years ahead.”
Ridge was also quoted in the statement and was keen to praise the Portrush golfer.
“Graeme leaves Horizon as one of the best players in the world and an outstanding ambassador for the game of golf. He is the ultimate role model for any aspiring pro out there, both in how he conducts himself as a person, and the professionalism with which he approaches the game.”
He continued: “We wish Graeme well for the rest of his golf career and in his future commercial ventures. His innate business acumen will serve him well as he manages his own affairs in the years ahead. He will move on from Horizon with our very best wishes and on-going support for him and his family.”
The exit is in marked contrast to his compatriot Rory McIlroy’s acrimonious split from the company which is the subject of an on-going court case that McDowell has become involved in.
McDowell has admitted previously that his relationship with the Open champion has been strained by the legal proceedings.
McDowell’s exit is seen as a major blow to the management company, with The Irish Times reporting that once McDowell leaves the company will be representing only two golfers, Shane Lowry and Ross Fisher.
