Motorola Exec VP/GM Bob Weisshappel is "credited with
forging Motorola's partnership with the Western Golf Association
as sponsor of the Western Open" in Lemont, IL. Weisshappel said
the company faced "a business decision ... with ways we could
best talk to the public about our products." Once they signed
on, they increased the payout to the tournament by $800,000 to
$2M. Weishappel: "I was surprised we were in the third quartile
among Tour events in terms of prize money" (Gary Reinmuth,
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/5).
ADVANTAGE TO MANAGE SENIOR TOURNEY: Advantage
International will manage the new Senior PGA Tour event, the
Senior Golf Classic presented by Business Week. The event is
scheduled for February 19-25, 1996 in Sarasota, FL. The $800,000
event will also offer a pro-am format and pair PGA Tour players
with baseball Hall-of-Famers. Advantage is responsible for all
aspects of management of the tournament, including operations,
sponsorship sales, media relations, advertising, marketing,
hospitality, volunteer coordination, and ticket sales
(Advantage).
