In Phoenix, Scott Bordow notes the LPGA “plans to return to” the Phoenix area next year, “hoping to have a title sponsor and long-term commitment in tow.” LPGA PR Manager Mike Scanlan said that tour officials for the past
month “have been talking with potential sponsors and scouting possible
sites for the 2012 tournament.” Phoenix-based electronic technology
firm Avnet is “among the companies to which the LPGA has made a pitch.”
Scanlan noted that the LPGA “wants to increase its number of domestic
events." This year’s schedule has only 13. After a one-year absence, the LPGA returned to Phoenix in March with the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/10).
STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: The CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL reports Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton "has already won over one very important Charlotte franchise: Bank of America." BofA sent reps to a luncheon after last month's NFL Draft "designed to introduce" Newton to the Panthers' corporate partners. BofA spokesperson Nicole Nastacie, whose bank is the title sponsor of the Panthers' stadium, said, "As a sponsor, we're excited about Cam joining the Panthers organization" (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/6 issue).
SALUTE THE TROOPS: ESPN.com’s Chris Olds noted the latest NASCAR card set from Press Pass will go on sale June 1 with military-themed "card designs and insert sets (bonus cards found inside packs) that are focused on the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines as well as the U.S. Coast Guard.” Other bonus cards in the Press Pass Stealth Set will “focus on commemorative cards for POW/MIA and other selected military highlights.” The “real hits are likely to be the military-themed autographs that several drivers have signed, complete with extra inscriptions referencing the military or thanking them for their service” (ESPN.com, 5/7).
BEAR HUNTING: RBS today announced that it has teamed with the USGA to produce a new series of video discussions with Jack Nicklaus, a global ambassador of the bank, that will debut today on usga.org. Additional "Conversations with the Golden Bear" will appear on the USGA's website periodically throughout the year (USGA).
