In Florida, Greg Hardwig reports the Shark Shootout is "staying in Naples at least through its 30th anniversary" in '18 and it "has a new title sponsor." Australia-based insurer QBE will "take over from Franklin Templeton as title sponsor beginning with this year’s PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament, which will be Dec. 6-10 back at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort." Tournament Dir Rob Hartman said that the agreement is for "multiple years." Franklin Templeton will "remain involved with the Shootout as a sponsor" (
NAPLES DAILY NEWS, 4/12).
ISLAND RETURN: In Hawaii, Anna Hrushka reported South Korea-based food conglomerate Lotte Group has "extended its title sponsorship" of Hawaii's LPGA event for "another three years." The extension will go into effect next year and run through '20, "making the deal the third three-year sponsorship agreement between the LPGA and Lotte." Financial terms of the deal were not released (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/11).
BRING IT ON BACK: In Birmingham, Tim Steere reported PGA Tour Champions and Regions Bank "announced a title sponsorship extension of the Regions Tradition" through '23. Regions has "been title sponsor of the tournament" since '11 and the current agreement for one of the tour's five major championships runs through '18. Greystone Golf & Country Club, which debuted as the tournament venue in '16, will remain as host through '23 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/11).
PRINT EDITIONS: Watchmaker Omega ran a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal yesterday congratulating Sergio Garcia on his victory at The Masters. Meanwhile, Rolex yesterday ran a full-page ad in the N.Y. Times: "The Masters 2017. Thank You For Another Exceptional Major." Looking forward, The Players Championship today runs a full-page ad in USA Today previewing next month's tournament. The ad goes with the header, "Own The Day," a salute to Jason Day, who won the '16 tournament (THE DAILY).
