Transitions Optical Will Not Renew Title Sponsorship Of PGA Tour Event In Tampa

Transitions Optical notified the PGA Tour last week that it “would not renew sponsorship” of the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla., when the contract expires after the event in March, according to Alex Miceli of GOLFWEEK. Transitions served as title sponsor for four years of the 12-year-old tournament. Transitions Optical Dir of External Affairs Connie Falvo said that the “relationship with the PGA Tour had helped the eyewear maker grow the brand and business.” Falvo: “We’ll continue to look at staying in all aspects of golf.” She noted the “possibility of continuing involvement in the Tampa-area event, just not as title sponsor.” Transitions also is the official eyewear of the PGA Tour, but “has not decided whether it will continue in that role when the contract expires at the end of June” (GOLFWEEK.com, 11/1). PGA Tour Exec VP/Communications & Int’l Affairs Ty Votaw said that there “already are discussions with potential sponsors.” He did not speculate on the event's future "if another sponsor cannot be found, or if another event would move into that slot in March.” Tampa has had “four title sponsors in the last 10 years” (AP, 11/1).

MITSUBISHI RE-UPS CHAMPIONS TOUR EVENT: The PGA Tour announced that Mitsubishi Electric has extended its marketing partnership and title sponsorship of the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii through '15 (PGA Tour).