BMW cruises into PGA
From the PGA:
BMW today announced a six-year partnership agreement with the PGA TOUR and the Western Golf Association (WGA) to create the BMW Championship – the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff tournaments that culminate with the new FedExCup competition that debuts in 2007. Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America and Jan-Christiaan Koenders, Director, BMW Brand Communications, were joined by PGA TOUR Chief Marketing Officer Tom Wade, Western Golf Association President Richard E. Peterson, and PGA TOUR professional Luke Donald at Grant Park in Chicago for the announcement.
“BMW is delighted to announce this partnership with the PGA TOUR and the Western Golf Association. The partnership reinforces BMW’s global three pillar sports marketing strategy,” said Koenders. “The strategy includes partnership agreements with the US America’s Cup sailing team, BMW Oracle Racing, the BMW Sauber F1 Team and now the prestigious PGA TOUR.”
“Globally, BMW has aligned itself with the premiere performance-driven sports,” continued Koenders. “Just as the America’s Cup and Formula 1 represent the pinnacle in their respective arenas, the US golf market is the largest in the world. For more than 20 years, BMW has been involved in international golf. Golf represents excellence, precision, aesthetic appeal and a cultivated lifestyle. This new partnership exemplifies BMW’s ongoing commitment to the advancement and legacy of the sport.”
Mr. Purves, Mr. Koenders along with Mr. Wade and Mr. Peterson, announced today that the inaugural BMW Championship will be played the week of September 3 – 9 next year at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Chicago, Illinois. It was also announced that starting in 2008 the BMW Championship will travel to some of the premiere golf courses in the Midwest every other year. The BMW Championship will be played in St. Louis at the Bellerive Country Club in 2008, return to Chicago in 2009 and every second year thereafter, in Indianapolis at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in 2010 and at a yet to be determined location in the Midwest in 2012.
“The PGA TOUR is looking forward to working with BMW, an organization that shares our commitment to outstanding performance and excellence,” said Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR Commissioner. “The new PGA TOUR Playoffs, which will determine the ultimate champion in our new season-long FedExCup competition, will be a tremendous enhancement to the PGA TOUR, and we welcome BMW as an important and strong partner in this venture.”
“It is an exciting time to announce a partnership with the PGA TOUR. The world of professional golf in the US is undergoing progressive developments and BMW is proud to be part of those historic changes,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. “Through this partnership, BMW will seek to enhance the already tremendous experience associated with this competition.”
Besides the new engagement with the BMW Championship, BMW is also the “Official Vehicle” at the Barclays Classic, and The TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, which follows the BMW Championship as the final event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs. BMW will have the honor of being the “Official Car” of the 2006 Ryder Cup.
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