Mercury Inks Multi-Year Sponsorship of LPGA's Titleholders Championship
28 January 1998
Mercury Inks Multi-Year Sponsorship of LPGA's Titleholders Championship
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 28 -- Mercury and the Ladies
Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have entered into a three-year
sponsorship arrangement for the LPGA's Mercury Titleholders Championship. The
nationally televised 1998 Mercury Titleholders Championship is April 30-May 3
at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida. The $1-million event
features a full field of 144 competitors, including players from the LPGA Tour
and nine amateur champions invited by the Mercury Titleholders Championship
Committee. Mercury's sponsorship of the Titleholders is an expansion of its
existing partnership with the LPGA.
"Mercury has taken yet another step in supporting the LPGA with this
multi-year sponsorship of the Mercury Titleholders Championship," said Jim
O'Connor, Ford Motor Company vice president and general manager of
Lincoln Mercury. "Our growing relationship with the LPGA shows how serious we
are about reaching women. Together, Mercury and the LPGA will be a driving
force in attracting women to the sport and Mercury vehicles."
"The Mercury Titleholders Championship is one of the Tour's premier
events," said Jim Ritts, commissioner of the LPGA. "I believe the traditions
of the event and the quality of the competition make the Titleholders a
natural fit for Mercury's first event title sponsorship in women's golf."
CBS will televise the competition live on May 2-3. Tammie Green is the
defending champion; other past winners include Kathy Whitworth, Patty Berg,
Babe Zaharias, Beth Daniel, Pat Bradley and Karrie Webb. The Mercury
Titleholders Championship traces its roots back to 1937 when it was first held
in Augusta, Georgia. At one time considered "The Masters" for women, the
Titleholders was held from 1937-1967 and again in 1972. In 1996, the
Titleholders Championship, one of the greatest traditions in women's golf, was
revived at LPGA International, the new LPGA home course designed by Rees
Jones.
"On behalf of the Women's Titleholders Golf Association, we are pleased to
enter into a partnership with Mercury for our event," said Bill Bottomley,
president of the Women's Titleholders Golf Association, which oversees the
championship. "As one of the most prestigious events in the history of the
game, we are delighted to be associated with Mercury, a brand that is so
committed to women's golf."
Mercury began its partnership with the LPGA in December 1996, when it
became the official vehicle of the LPGA. In 1998, Mercury became the title
sponsor of the LPGA's first television series, the Mercury LPGA Series that
includes coverage of seven LPGA events on ESPN and ESPN2. Mercury also
created the $250,000 Mercury Series bonus pool for players earning the most
points based on performances in Mercury Series events. In addition, Annika
Sorenstam, the 1997 Rolex Player of the Year and top-money winner, is a
Mercury spokeswoman.
The Mercury line-up of vehicles includes the Grand Marquis, Sable,
Mystique, Tracer, Mountaineer, Villager and the all-new 1999 Cougar, which
goes on sale in May 1998.
SOURCE Lincoln-Mercury Division
