The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, an equity-based, luxury destination club, and Hall of Fame golfer, Annika Sorenstam, have entered a new partnership where Annika will serve as an ambassador for the brand. For the benefit of Club Members, this partnership presents the opportunity for elite experiences that mirror Annika’s passions and growing lifestyle brand.

As part of the exclusive partnership, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club will create an “ANNIKA sense of place” at Club locations with branded products from signature clothing and fragrances, to wines and autographed photography. Culinary events, wine tastings and golf outings with Annika will provide memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Members. The ANNIKA Academy will also take the team on the road to select Club locations to inspire players of varying skill levels to reach their potential by transferring more energy and power from the gym to the golf course.

“We are thrilled to have Annika Sorenstam represent The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC). “This partnership is an excellent opportunity for The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club to work with one of the world’s top golfers and offer our discerning Members extraordinary experiences they will not find anywhere else but at our Clubs.”

“I am honored to represent The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club brand, which is the most prestigious Destination Club in the world,” said Annika. “There is a lot of symmetry between the lifestyle The Ritz-Carlton affords their Members and the products and services my brand represents. Together we will provide inspirational Member experiences.”

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club created the “Lion & Crown Golf Series,” a sequence of Member/Guest tournaments at key Club destinations, which Annika will serve as host in 2010.

Depending on a Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Member’s vacation aspirations, they may select a Home Club Membership which provides a one- to four-bedroom, titled residence and guaranteed usage at their favorite resort every year, or a deeded Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of locations, accommodations and experiences around the globe through the use of Club points. The new Hotel Exchange Program also enables Members who enroll in a Portfolio Membership to utilize a portion of their Club points at more than 70 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts.

Club Members benefit from an exceptional level of service as they are paired with their own member experience manager who serves as their primary travel liaison. The member experience manager coordinates everything from airport pick-up and pre-arrival provisioning of the residence, to unpacking and pressing pre-sent garments and arranging a complete vacation itinerary.