Women’s golf has received a boost after leading brands Titleist & FootJoy agreed a three year sponsorship of the Women’s PGA Professional Championship. The blue riband event of the WPGA schedule takes place over 36 holes at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire on Tuesday, July 19. It marks a new era for the tournament which will have a significantly larger field and an increased prize fund up to £6,000.
Titleist and FootJoy’s support complements their sponsorship of the PGA Professional Championship – the traditional 72-hole tournament for club pros which this year takes place at The Oxfordshire from July 26-29. Both Titleist and FootJoy are PGA Partners and work closely with club pros across the UK.
Robert Maxfield, The PGA’s deputy chief executive, said: “The PGA aims to provide playing opportunities across its membership and we welcome the support of Titleist and FootJoy in sponsoring the new look WPGA Professional Championship.
“Both companies have been long-standing supporters of The PGA and PGA Professionals and with more and more female pros joining the Association we look forward to this tournament going from strength to strength.”
Richard Fryer, sales and marketing director for FootJoy, on behalf of both Titleist and FootJoy, added: “Titleist and FootJoy have been long term partners of The PGA across many facets of the organisation, and we are delighted to extend that partnership by supporting the Women’s PGA Professional Championship, starting this year.
“The PGA Professional plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of both the game and our own business, and providing the opportunity to compete at a high level amongst their peers is both exciting and rewarding in equal measure.
“We wish every competitor the very best of luck, and look forward to seeing the finalists at Frilford Heath later in the year.”
Tracy Loveys, of Bigbury Golf Club in Devon, will defend the title, which she has won for a record four times since the tournament was launched in 2003.
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