In Portland, Matthew Kish reported golfer Rory McIlroy yesterday visited Nike HQ for an employee event dubbed the "VictRory Tour" in "honor of McIlroy's remarkable year." The event "included a chat on an outdoor stage" with Nike co-Founder & Chair Phil Knight. McIlroy also "hit golf balls on a driving range erected on the field between the Tiger Woods Conference Center and the company's Sport Center." He reportedly "drove several golf balls the length of the field onto the roof of the Sport Center, which is roughly 275 yards away." On a visit years ago, Tiger Woods "accepted a challenge from Knight and drove a ball 315 yards." Yesterday's event included an "opportunity for employees to take pictures with the Claret Jug" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/2).
BUSINESS AS USUAL: Humana Senior VP/Corporate Communications Tom Noland said that despite ending its title sponsorship of the Humana Challenge in '15, the company "remains fully committed to the event in January." In California, Larry Bohannon notes the company's "initiatives this year will include the Humana Well Being Walk and the Healthy Fun Fair on the Saturday before the Humana Challenge, Humana Day at the Certified Farmers Market in Old Town La Quinta featuring healthy eating with fresh fruits and vegetables from local and regional growers, as well as cooking demonstrations hosted by area chefs" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 12/3).
TEEN BEAT: YONHAP's Yoo Jee-ho reported South Korean teenage golfer Kim Hyo-joo "signed a lucrative extension with her main corporate sponsor, Lotte Group." The company has "re-signed the 19-year-old for five more years" in a deal worth US$1.2M, along with performance-based incentives. With each victory, Kim "will receive extra prize money" worth 70% of the purse from Lotte. For a top-five finish, Lotte "will give her a bonus" worth 30% of the winnings (YONAP, 12/2).
