The International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS) will become the title sponsor of the inaugural Perth International which will see the event rebranded as the ISPS HANDA Perth International.
The ISPS HANDA Perth International will be played this year at the magnificent Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 18-21 October. It is the richest tournament in Australia and the only event in the country to be co-sanctioned between the PGA Tour of Australasia and The European Tour.
The field will comprise 156 players headlined by World Number Nine Jason Dufner and 2011 Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel.
Midori Miyazaki, ISPS Executive Director of International Affairs, said: “ISPS is delighted to become title sponsor of this exciting new major event. Perth is a wonderful, vibrant city and as the second home of our Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa, who has received the keys to the City of Perth and the City of Swan for his significant philanthropic endeavours, it is a very fitting partnership.”
“ISPS has a long history of supporting golf around the globe and are committed to raising the profile of blind and disabled golf throughout the world. Dr Handa established the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) in 1998 and through ISPS recently initiated the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme in the UK. In 2012 this programme will deliver over 1000 lessons from PGA professionals to blind and disabled golfers of all ages. Our intention is to roll out this initiative in Australia and the rest of the world reaching those in need of this specialised coaching. We believe the ISPS HANDA Perth International offers another great platform from which to promote out ultimate mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport.”
Commenting on the announcement, Senior Vice President, Global Co-Managing Director of IMG, Robbie Henchman remarked: “We are delighted to welcome ISPS HANDA as our naming rights partner and on behalf of IMG I would like to extend our thanks for their invaluable support.”
ISPS HANDA Perth International www.perthinternational.com