New global tournament blends world-class golf, luxury cruises, and star power from Luke Donald and Lexi Thompson.
Crystal Cruises, the luxury cruise brand recently relaunched under A&K Travel Group, is teeing up an elite new experience for golf lovers—the Crystal Cup, a high-end tournament series created in partnership with global golf management giant Troon. Designed to merge top-tier competition with world-class travel, the Crystal Cup offers participants a chance to play at legendary courses, enjoy unparalleled luxury, and rub shoulders with golf royalty.
Golf Business News reports that leading the charge are tournament ambassadors Luke Donald and Lexi Thompson—two stars whose presence immediately adds prestige and buzz to the event. Donald, a former World No. 1 and Ryder Cup captain, and LPGA champion Thompson will serve not only as faces of the Crystal Cup campaign but also as participants in exclusive events during the tournament. Their involvement underscores Crystal’s serious commitment to elevating this event beyond a typical pro-am or member-guest competition.
What makes the Crystal Cup stand out isn’t just the celebrity access—it’s the format and setting. Kicking off this summer, 940 two-person teams will compete at 10 local qualifiers across private clubs, with the best advancing to three Troon-hosted regional qualifiers at celebrated public-access courses: Aviara in Carlsbad, CA (July 10), Tobacco Road in Sanford, NC (August 19), and La Cantera in San Antonio, TX (August 26).
Then comes the grand finale—an October championship at Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia, home of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic. The winners will enjoy an unforgettable finale, including lavish prizes like $1,000 cruise vouchers, signed memorabilia, and a headline-grabbing 29-night cruise from Singapore to Tokyo aboard the Crystal Symphony.
For golf-loving cruise aficionados, this is the holy grail: exclusive travel combined with high-level golf competition, premium accommodations, and curated events. Crystal’s onboard experience offers gourmet dining, spa indulgence, and personalized service, making the tournament as rewarding off the course as on.
“This is more than just a golf tournament—it’s a celebration of travel, sport, and lifestyle,” said Peter Chipchase, Chief Marketing Officer of A&K Travel Group. “Our research shows golf is a major interest among our guests. The Crystal Cup delivers an aspirational experience for both loyal fans and new adventurers.”
Crystal also plans an innovative marketing campaign tied to the 2025 Ryder Cup, including a virtual swing lesson giveaway with Donald. It’s a clever play that merges tech, fandom, and elite instruction in a way that only a brand like Crystal can deliver.
With Troon overseeing the course logistics and Crystal commanding the seas, the Crystal Cup is poised to redefine golf getaways. It’s part competition, part luxury retreat, and 100% bucket-list-worthy.
