Principality Building Society has announced its status as Official Financial Services Sponsor of the WPGA Championship of Europe.
Formed in 1860, Principality Building Society is Wales’ largest independent financial organisation. With more branches in Wales than any other building society, the Principality is the 14th largest building society in the UK.
The Principality has signed an agreement which will help to support the third richest tournament on the Evian Ladies European Tour. The new tournament will be held from July 26-29 at Royal Porthcawl GC. It will feature a selection of international players who compete on both sides of the Atlantic; including the majority of Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup 2000 team. With the WPGA Championship falling the week before the Weetabix British Open, it is likely to attract stars such as Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson and Catrin Nilsmark to one of the finest links in south Wales.
John Mitchell, the chief executive of the Principality was delighted with the partnership, “This is an exciting venture for Principality Building Society. Our aim is to support both the Ladies European Tour and the game of golf in Wales. We also recognise that this is a stepping stone towards achieving the ambition of bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales in 2009, which we are very proud to be a part of”.
Wales’ plans to host the Ryder Cup in 2009 have thrust professional golf to the forefront of the 2001 Welsh sporting calendar. The WPGA Championship is one of the major tournaments in Wales’ ‘Summer of Golf’ programme, designed to attract some of the finest players in the world to Welsh courses during 2001.
As Tony Lewis, chairman of Wales Ryder Cup bid pointed out, “We have cut no corners in our efforts to bring the 2009 Ryder Cup to Wales for the very first time. We are also determined to showcase our strengths by supporting the Ladies European Tour as well as the men’s European and Seniors Tours. Therefore, we are delighted to have the support of Principality Building Society for this event as we strive to encourage further Welsh businesses to get behind the bid.”
Wales Ryder Cup bid www.walesrydercup2009.org