For many golfers, the course is the perfect place to mix business and pleasure. Mercedes-Benz did just that with its PGA Performance Center, a display celebrating the evolution of golf…and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the game of golf have both come a long way – although golf, dating back to the 1600s, has come longer! Cars fitting into what became the E-Class model range trace their lineage to a more recent period – the 1930s. For its inaugural year as an Official Patron and Official Vehicle of the PGA of America, Mercedes-Benz decided to showcase some of its own history with that of golf, in a fun way.

“Skill, precision and drive are all reasons why Mercedes-Benz and the game of golf are a natural fit,” says Lisa Holladay, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. “Both Mercedes-Benz and the PGA of America have a rich heritage and are at the forefront of innovation to deliver a unique experience at the PGA Championship.”

The Mercedes-Benz PGA Performance Center made its debut at the 91st PGA Championship contested at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota this past August. More than 200,000 spectators lined the fairways on the acclaimed course designed by Robert Trent Jones to view the strongest all-professional field in major championship golf.  

Through a striking series of displays, graphics and videos, visitors experienced a visual timeline spanning more than half a century, highlighting eight generations of the E-Class model along with memorable moments from the game of golf. The all-new 2010 E-Class coupe, sedan and E63 AMG were also exhibited, as well as a 1979 240 D model.

For guests entering the display, the visual impact was dramatic. They were greeted by a 50-foot graphic illustrating the history of cars that share a lineage within the E-Class range. Classic models from the 1950s “Ponton” and 1960s “Fintail” body styles were juxtaposed with a series of 32-inch monitors highlighting Mercedes-Benz current state-of-the-art fuel and safety innovations such as its Blue Efficiency technology (fuel consumption and emissions reduction), Attention Assist (advanced drowsiness detection system) and Adaptive High-Beam Assist (advanced oncoming traffic recognition system).  

Some high-tech materials were also displayed to highlight Mercedes-Benz history and leadership in developing safety design. These innovations have ranged from the “safety cage” passenger cell and front-and-rear crumple zones to antilock brakes, automotive airbags and stability control systems.

At the same time, golf and car enthusiasts were able to inspect a series of golf balls dating from the 1600s to today, including the first golf ball, a feather-stuffed leather-covered “feathery” from 1618. Nike Golf, meanwhile, displayed the latest advancements in golf ball and club technology to show the future of advanced materials.

For visitors to the display, the message was clear: both golf and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class have evolved through the years – but golf has had a few hundred more years of growth!

As an Official Patron, Mercedes-Benz serves as the Official Vehicle of the PGA of America, the PGA Championship and Senior PGA Championship, as well as a proud supporter of the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cup.