The Memorial Tournament, Nationwide Insurance and the PGA TOUR announced
today that Nationwide will become the presenting sponsor of the Memorial
Tournament, beginning with the 2011 event. Nationwide and the Memorial
have mutually committed to a six-year initial relationship through 2016.
“Nationwide not only has proven itself to be passionate
about golf, but passionate about giving back to local communities
through its golf sponsorships. Now it has that rare opportunity to
partner in its hometown with Jack Nicklaus and the Memorial Tournament
and to impact charities throughout the Columbus area.”
The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance will enter its
36th year of competition in 2011 as one of the elite events
in professional golf. Founded and hosted annually by Columbus native
Jack Nicklaus and the Nicklaus family and played at storied Muirfield
Village Golf Club, the Memorial Tournament regularly attracts an
outstanding international field, recognizes those who have distinguished
themselves and contributed significantly to the sport, and at the same
time ensures that many deserving charities are recognized and supported
to help those in need.
I am delighted and proud that Nationwide Insurance has joined the
Memorial Tournament as presenting sponsor, Jack Nicklaus said. When we
created the Memorial Tournament 35 years ago, we did so with Central
Ohio in mind. It was our way of bringing world-class golf to our
hometown and to the passionate fans of our state. I believe Nationwide
Insurance furthers our national platform but at the same time brings us
back to the genesis of the event, and that is to showcase golf to
Central Ohio and at the same time showcase Dublin, Columbus and the
surrounding area to the golf world. There is a commonality and a
commitment to excellence between Nationwide Insurance and the Memorial
Tournament.
Nationwide Insurance has been one of the leading companies in Central
Ohio for over 80 years. As a native of Columbus, I have watched and
admired Nationwides growth and, more important, the companys
contributions to the community. In addition, Nationwide Insurance has a
rich history within the game of golf. It has been a strong supporter of
professional golf and the important charities the game and tournaments
benefit.
Through this relationship, Nationwide Insurance will become the first
locally-based presenting sponsor in the Tournaments 35-year history.
The partnership brings together two iconic Central Ohio brands, with a
goal of staging a world-class event that gives back to the community and
many deserving local charities.
Were excited for the Nationwide brand to be associated with one of the
premier golf tournaments in the world, and golfs greatest player, Jack
Nicklaus, said Steve Rasmussen, CEO of Nationwide Insurance.
Partnering with the Memorial allows us to support an event that draws
the national spotlight to Central Ohio every year, while helping
deserving local charities like Nationwide Childrens Hospital fulfill
their mission.
Over the past two decades, Nationwide Insurance has maintained a
long-standing high profile relationship with the PGA TOUR as one of the
games most passionate supporters. From 1991-2000 Nationwide sponsored
the Champions Tours Nationwide Championship near Atlanta. Since 2003
the insurance giant has sponsored the Nationwide Tour, making Nationwide
Insurance the longest running umbrella sponsor in that Tours history.
It also has sponsored the Tours Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Invitational in Columbus since 2007.
Nationwide Insurance has been a terrific partner of the PGA TOUR dating
back nearly 20 years beginning with its involvement with the Champions
Tour and now with the Nationwide Tour, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim
Finchem said. Nationwide not only has proven itself to be passionate
about golf, but passionate about giving back to local communities
through its golf sponsorships. Now it has that rare opportunity to
partner in its hometown with Jack Nicklaus and the Memorial Tournament
and to impact charities throughout the Columbus area.
Since its inception in 1976 the Memorial Tournament presented by
Nationwide Insurance has produced great entertainment, memorable moments
and compelling winners. Of the 26 past winners of the Memorial 16 are
major champions, including some of the greatest names in golfnames like
Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Raymond Floyd, Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Fred
Couples, Ernie Els and four-time winner Tiger Woods. The Memorial boasts
one of the truly elite fields in golf with a strong contingent of both
national and international players. In 2010, Justin Rose became the
fifth international player to win the Memorial and broke through with
his first PGA TOUR title.
Similar to the tournament it hosts, Muirfield Village Golf Club is a
truly elite venue. The course was officially dedicated on Memorial Day,
May 27, 1974, with an exhibition match between Jack Nicklaus and Tom
Weiskopf, and has since hosted several national championships and
international team competitions including the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur,
1987 Ryder Cup, 1992 U.S. Amateur and the 1998 Solheim Cup. In 2013 The
Presidents Cup will be added to the list, making Muirfield Village Golf
Club the first venue in the world to host three of golfs most
prestigious international team competitionsThe Presidents Cup, Ryder
Cup and Solheim Cup.
Each year the Memorial Tournament is themed around a person, living or
dead, who has contributed to the game of golf. When the games top
players convene for the 2011 edition of the Memorial Tournament
presented by Nationwide Insurance this May 30 June 5, World Golf Hall
of Fame member, Nancy Lopez will be honored.
I am excited for the Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village Golf Club
and the patrons who year in and year out support our event, said Jack
Nicklaus II, General Chairman of the Memorial Tournament and Muirfield
Village Golf Club. Thanks to the vision and commitment of my father and
mother, the Memorial long ago elevated itself as one of the most
prestigious and popular events on the PGA TOUR, while Nationwide has a
decades-old reputation of being one of the strongest providers of
insurance and financial services in the country. But, at the foundation
of both our organizations is Central Ohio, and I think this partnership
serves to further galvanize a community. On behalf of everyone involved
with the tournament and club, we are proud to welcome Nationwide
Insurance into our extended family.
About the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance
The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance is held
annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of
Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is
conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of
individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the
game of golf; to showcase the worlds best golfers competing on one of
the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of
spectators; and to benefit charitable organizations in central Ohio. For
more information, call 614-889-6700 or visit www.thememorialtournament.com.
About Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and
strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in
the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range
of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto
insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm,
commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages,
mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and
productivity services. Visit www.nationwide.com.
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the worlds premier membership organization for touring
professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the
PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.
The PGA TOURs mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver
substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give
back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities
in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
In 2010, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 34 states and
in 12 countries outside of the U.S. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast
to nearly 600 million households in 225 countries and 30 languages.
Virtually all tournaments are organized as nonprofit organizations in
order to maximize charitable giving. In 2009, tournaments on the three
Tours generated $108 million for local charitable organizations. The
TOURs all-time total of charitable contributions is approaching $1.5
billion.
The PGA TOURs web site is PGATOUR.COM,
the No. 1 site in golf, and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra
Beach, FL.
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Source: Business Wire
