Dow Chemical To Sponsor LPGA Tourney Near Michigan HQ

Dow Chemical signed a five-year deal with the LPGA to become the tournament sponsor of a "team event" that will "debut at Midland Country Club" in Michigan from July 17-20 next year, according to Kate Carlson of the MIDLAND DAILY NEWS. With the Dow-DuPont merger and "upcoming spins of individual companies, the Dow-sponsored tournament comes at a time when community members are uncertain of the future of the chemical giant’s presence in Midland and the surrounding Great Lakes Bay Region." Dow, based in Midland, joined the LPGA as an "official marketing partner earlier this year, and also serves as a founding partner of the LPGA’s new online platform, the LPGA Women’s Network." The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational will "roll out a unique format with a 72-hole, stroke-play tournament with 72 two-player teams competing in both foursomes and four-ball" for a $2M purse. It will be the "first time the LPGA has officially used a team format in a tournament" (OURMIDLAND.com, 5/10).