In Dallas, Melissa Wylie notes AT&T in its first year as title sponsor of the Byron Nelson Championship is "working to make the event the most technologically advanced stop on the PGA Tour." AT&T is "planning extensive Wi-Fi and network coverage at the event." There will be three Cell On Wheels (COWs) portable cell sites at the event "to increase coverage capacity" and 69 Wi-Fi access points "servicing the entire range of the course." AT&T Media Relations Dir for North Texas Diane Brandon said that while this is year one as title sponsor, the company "has provided tech access in past years" at the event. Meanwhile, a number of interactive stations "will be set up for fans, including a chair simulator showing the dangers of texting and driving as a promotion for AT&T’s 'It Can Wait' campaign" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/20).
HOWDY, PARTNER: The PGA of America and Chase yesterday formally announced their official partnership deal. The two-year deal makes Chase Sapphire Preferred the official credit card of the PGA of America and includes Chase Bank as the official retail bank of the association. The deal also calls for Chase to offer its cardmembers onsite benefits at the PGA of America’s major events. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the association’s official partner level deals typically are for seven figures annually (John Lombardo, Staff Writer).
SLEEP TIGHT: USA TODAY's Steve DiMeglio notes Hunter Mahan, the PGA Tour and Tempur-Pedic are working with retired Army vet Brian Mast on the Beyond Veterans Day initiative at this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational, which "aims to honor and help veterans of the Armed Forces." For "every 100 hashtags used (#beyondveteransday) on Twitter through the rest of the year, Tempur-Pedic will donate a bed to a veteran." The company "has donated 80,000 beds to veterans" since '11. Mahan "will talk and tweet about the initiative." He also will "make appearances on behalf of the program this week and at two other Tour stops." Tempur-Pedic will donate "at least six homes to a wounded veteran and his or her family" (USATODAY.com, 5/20).
DRIVER LICENSE: GOLF DIGEST STIX’ Keely Levins noted if Dustin Johnson wins next month’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, anyone who “buys a new TaylorMade driver between May 18 and June 17 at a PGA Tour Superstore will be refunded for the driver’s full price.” Other golf brands “have done similar promotions” with their players in the past -- with Callaway and Phil Mickelson the most recent example at last year’s U.S. Open (GOLF DIGEST STIX, 5/20 issue).
