The world’s current number-one player held a 30-minute putting clinic for 100 members and promoted his wines during a meet-and-greet that followed.

Luke Donald, currently ranked number-one in the Official World Golf Ratings, used an off-week in his golf schedule to promote his Chardonnay and Signature Red Claret wines—and talk a little golf as well—in an exclusive event that was held on October 12 for members of Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville, Ill.

A strong relationship between the west-suburban Chicago country club and Terlato Wines International, based in Lake Bluff, Ill., helped to finalize Donald’s visit and give 100 members at Cress Creek the unique opportunity to participate in a 30-minute putting clinic, followed by a 90-minute meet-and-greet with Donald.

“When [Cress Creek General Manager] David (Gould) came to us at our August Board meeting and said he had finalized the deal for Luke to come to the club, we were all speechless,” said Cress Creek Vice President Lloyd Krumlauf. “It’s not every day you get the number-one person in any field to visit. To have the number-one golfer in the world to come is simply amazing.”

Luke Donald’s venture into wine was forged by a strong friendship with Bill Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wines International, and a love for wine he developed in his homeland of England.

“Growing up in the UK, my parents were wine drinkers. They drank a lot of French wines because it was readily available over there,” Donald said. “Developing a Bordeaux-style blend seemed like a fun thing to do.”

Cress Creek Country Club has supported Luke Donald’s venture into the wine world from its inception. Both wines have been presented at the Club’s annual wine tastings and are regular fixtures, by the glass and bottle, on the club’s wine list. That support made it a “no- brainer” for Gould to work with Terlato Brand Manager Victor Salafatinos and make the exclusive event happen.