McGladrey Signs Three-Year Title Sponsorship Extenstion For Fall PGA Tour Event

The PGA Tour yesterday announced that RSM McGladrey has signed a three-year extension as title sponsor of the McGladrey Classic through '15. McGladrey originally signed a three-year deal through the '12 tournament, which will be held at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia. Davis Love III will continue to serve as tournament chair and his foundation will serve as the event's host organization (PGA Tour). In Jacksonville, Garry Smits wrote the tournament, by all measures, “has been a huge hit for the Tour and the Golden Isles area.” Ticket sales, corporate hospitality, economic impact and TV ratings on The Golf Channel “have been strong in the first two years of the event and the once financially-troubled Sea Island Club also has received a boost.” Through “Love's influence and the growing number of Tour stars who are either based in St. Simons Island or come there to use the training and playing facilities, the fields have been strong” (JACKSONVILLE.com, 11/29). Golf Channel’s Gary Williams said there is a 2-1 chance the McGladrey Classic will move from the Fall Series and become a FedEx Cup event by '15. Williams: "There’s no way in the world that that sponsorship, where dollars are precious in an economy where – you can call it whatever you want – it’s a cost center. You’re spending money. You need to get return on your investment. Golf Channel’s Erik Kuselias: “If they make the changes to the Fall Series, the McGladrey is a really good bet to end up on the Tour” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 11/30).

RAISE YOUR GLASS: The BBC reported Diageo "has been named as an official partner" of the '14 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Gleneagles, Scotland. Diageo will "promote the event in conjunction with its brands, such as Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky." As part of its role, the company will "work with Clubgolf -- the Scottish junior golf development agency -- at a corporate level to help promote participation in golf across Scotland" (BBC.co.uk, 11/29).