Ralph Lauren yesterday announced that it has signed a five-year deal with the R&A to sponsor the British Open. As part of the deal, the company will outfit all officials and staff members at the '12 Open Championship and will create a dedicated Polo Golf men's collection around the event. Ralph Lauren's other deals in golf include serving as the official outfitter for the USGA and providing clothing for golfers such as Luke Donald, Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Webb Simpson and Morgan Pressel (Ralph Lauren).
LOUD AND PROUD: Loudmouth Golf CEO Larry Jackson said that the golf apparel company is “expected to make more than $10 million for 2011." Jackson said that in ’08 the company “netted $1 million … and has almost doubled profits every year since then.” A children’s line “is on the way, and Loudmouth now can be made to order.” Golfer John Daly signed a contract with the company in ’09 and will be “honoring the Dallas Cowboys soon as Loudmouth just signed a contract with the Cowboys for apparel in blue, silver and white” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/21).
BYE BYE, BARCLAYS: In London, James Corrigan reports the future of the Scottish Open “has been thrown into jeopardy” after Barclays' announcement yesterday that it is not renewing the title sponsorship after nine years. The bank cited “market forces” as the reason for its withdrawal. The European Tour had been “confident of striking a new deal with Barclays.” The bank will “continue to be Phil Mickelson’s main backer as well as carrying on sponsoring the Barclays Open in Singapore" (London INDEPENDENT, 9/21).
PLEASE DON'T GO: FedEx' title sponsorship of the PGA Tour's playoffs was discussed on Golf Channel's "Morning Drive" today, with co-host Gary Williams saying the company's involvement is "fairly important, because of brand name." Williams: "If this thing changes sponsorship two times in the next 10 years, it will be lampooned, like, ‘What exactly are they playing for again?’” Golf Channel’s Erik Kuselias said, "You assume that if FedEx leaves (the Tour is) going to have another presenting sponsor or second sponsor that will step up. We just saw the Barclays back out of the Scottish Open after 10 years. Times are tough, LPGA is looking for people at events. ... To have this kind of money from one company is vital right now” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 9/21).
NEW TEAM: Las Vegas-based Shift4 Corporation, an independent payment solutions company, announced yesterday it has signed a sponsorship agreement with golfer Ryan Moore. Shift4’s logo will appear on Moore’s left chest and he will make appearances at Shift4 events throughout the year. The relationship will kick off at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas from Sept. 28-Oct. 2 (Shift4).
