I first met the founder of bando, Lucas Lee, in August of last year through a good friend. Lucas’ background is in digital advertising, especially in men’s fashion with Liam Gallagher’s brand Pretty Green. So when he came to me with an exciting business that wanted to help advertise organisations hosting golf events but in a more sustainable and creative way, I was all ears. 

When I asked him how the idea came about, he told me that he’d played a round of golf with his brother behind a charity golf day. It wasn’t until they were having a beer after in the bar, that they found out it was an event raising money for charity, which got them asking why none of the guests had anything to unite them together or advertise the charity? 

They then set out to find a suitable and untapped product that they could be creative with, but more importantly, they wanted the company to be as sustainable as possible. 

There are thousands of corporate golf days around the world every year and, after two years of companies not being able to host their annual events due to the pandemic, there is a pent-up demand to stand out and find something that will make a big impact on their guests.

I have been fortunate to play in many amazing golf days receiving some tremendous gift packs, but they usually include logoed balls, logoed tees or poker chip markers which are either lost in the woods, snapped or shoved into the golf bag by the time I’ve got to the 9th. 

A golf towel is a product that all golfers, including the top professionals, have on their bags, but unfortunately, they look like they are out of the locker room or a beer mat. Golf is a sport that is either performance-based, style-focused and more recently, planet-friendly, so why has the golf towel been left behind? 

Lucas told me about their slogan, Our Towel, Your Story, which hit home exactly what they are doing. With this in mind, I asked the guys if they’d design me a towel for my UK tour while doing the Top 100 clubs. 

At first, they created a Spurs influenced design, but I thought that wouldn’t go down very well when asking people to hold it with me! Instead, they designed a simple but sleek towel, that incorporated my logo as well as some of my partners. They also included the ‘I took the challenge’ slogan, which I’ve shared through my blogs and on social media. 

By incorporating my branding, logos and message onto the bando towel, I felt more emotionally connected when giving it to my guests because it was something more personal.  I also knew that they’d keep it on their golf bag for longer, sharing my story as well as the challenge with everyone they see on the course. Bet they were glad it wasn’t a Spurs design now!!

Another great example of this is my nominated charity, Action for AT, who alongside their sponsor, Stewarts Golf, purchased 300 towels for this year’s events. The design perfectly promotes both organisations by utilising their brand assets in an eye-catching and truly unique way. Expect to see these on the Stewart Golf luxury golf trollies down the fairway this summer!

Sustainability is huge in corporate governance in today’s world and so to aid this requirement, all of bando’s towels are made using recycled plastic bottles and are certified by the Global Recycling Standard. The inks used are environmentally friendly and the products arrive in a biodegradable bag.

I’ve been learning more and more this year about sustainability and with two grandchildren, I am very keen to do everything I can to provide them with a world that can provide a similar planet to the one I have enjoyed or, if possible, an even better one. 

So when Lucas introduced the ‘1 towel = 1kg’ initiative –  where for every bando towel sold, they will donate to collect 1kg of ocean-bound plastic – I knew we had to do it. 

A golf day of 72 golfers will equate to over 2,500 bottles being collected, allowing companies to promote their sustainable programmes.

The possibilities for what can be achieved with this simple product are very exciting. Think of the excitement the golfing world had at last year’s Wentworth PGA when Billy Horschel brought his West Ham bag onto the first tee box. We’re now in a world where sports can freely cross over… Imagine a bando + West Ham towel. I wonder how many golf-loving supporters would love to buy one of those!!

As things go from strength to strength with the company, I’m pleased to be involved and excited for a very busy summer ahead.

Please do take a look at the bando website www.bandotowels.com or follow on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/bandotowels

Remember it isn’t just simply a golf towel.

Until next time

COYS!!