American Airlines will "financially support efforts to keep" a PGA Tour event at Colonial Country Club for '18, according to Sandra Baker of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. American Airlines Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Matt Miller "declined to disclose an amount." Landing the airline's support for the May tournament is part of a "behind-the-scenes effort by civic leaders," including U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) and Ft. Worth Mayor Betsy Price. Those efforts "began as early as October after the upscale food chain Dean & DeLuca backed out of its six-year commitment to host the event." American Airlines for the past two years at the event has sponsored the American Patriots Outpost, which "provides food and beverages to military members and veterans." Other Ft. Worth businesses also "may be stepping forward." BNSF Railway Regional Dir of Public Affairs Joseph Faust said the company "continues to discuss the sponsorship matter." XTO Energy Media & Communications Advisor Jeremy Eikenberry said, "We continue to have discussions ... about a potential co-sponsorship." AT&T Regional VP/External & Legislative Affairs Fred Maldonado said that Chair & CEO Randall Stephenson was "reviewing" a $2M sponsorship request (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/14).
