The Kemper Open in MD has "come up with an unusual
incentive to attract players" to its May PGA Tour event,
according to the AP. In addition to increasing its purse
$500,000 to $2.5M, Kemper Open officials will "try to sign
the winner to a one-year deal" in which he would get a "logo
fee" for carrying the Kemper name on his shirt or bag, plus
$200,000 if he "goes on to win a major." The winner would
"be required to make a couple of promotional appearances"
for Kemper and "allow his name to be used" in ads and on the
Internet. Kemper Open Chair Ben Bundred: "We think this
will help us get more people here to play" (AP, 1/19).
NIKE ON TARGET FOR BALL RELEASE: BRANDWEEK's Terry
Lefton reports that Nike Golf "will launch four 'Precision
Technology' balls, ranging from" $25-45 a dozen. Nike will
tout the balls' accuracy in TV spots from Weiden & Kennedy,
set to break on CBS's February coverage of the AT&T Pebble
Beach National Pro Am (BRANDWEEK, 1/18 issue.)
CORNERSTONE COULDN'T SE ANYTHING: The AP reported that
Se Ri Pak's three-year deal with IMG was signed "before
Pak's family could hear a last-ditch offer form Cornerstone
Sports." The deal was confirmed Friday by "family adviser"
Yeong Shin and Pak's corporate sponsor, Samsung. Shin said
that he "expects endorsement contracts" shortly (AP, 1/15).
