In New York, Mike Dougherty notes the merchandise pavilion is a "U.S. Open centerpiece," but with no fans at Winged Foot next week for the tournament, all event-branded items are available online. There is a "wide assortment of polos, sweatshirts, head wear, posters, flags and other U.S. Open paraphernalia" at USGAShop.com. USGA Senior Dir of Licensing & U.S. Open Merchandising Mary Lopuszynski: "After the decision to postpone until September was made, we started to put more of the merchandise online. ... I’m sure a lot of people will still want product with the Winged Foot logo" (Westchester JOURNAL NEWS, 9/8).
PNC BACK FOR MORE: PNC announced a multiyear title sponsorship renewal of the former PNC Father/Son Challenge. The renamed PNC Championship will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando on Dec. 18-20 (PNC). PNC Bank CFO Rob Reilly said, “We like the name PNC Championship because it really reflects the way this has tournament evolved in terms of the field. It’s been some time that we’ve been the sponsor, and it’s been some time since we’ve had just fathers and sons in the field. We’ve had fathers and daughters, daughters and fathers, and grandparents and grandchildren and that’s been deliberate on our part to expand the participation" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 9/9).
THE NAME OF THE GAME: Golfer Lexi Thompson announced the "launch of her own brand," and she will have her new "Lexi" logo on her visor and golf bag during this week’s LPGA ANA Inspiration. In a promo video, Thompson "teases new projects that are in the works," in the Golf, Fitness and Skin brand categories. Thompson earlier this year "signed with a new agency" in GSE Worldwide, parting with Blue Giraffe Sports (GOLFWEEK.com, 9/8).
