The end-of-season PGA Play-Offs – which determine the No.1 ranked player in the PGA – has undergone a radical overhaul.
Now in its sixth year, the showpiece event has had a triple boost as it has received new sponsorship from Titleist, been expanded to 54-holes and will be staged overseas for the first time as it heads to the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey.
Titleist, manufacturer of the world’s No.1 golf ball, has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the PGA Play-Offs as an extension of its support of grass roots PGA professionals, reflected in its position as a long-standing champion of the PGA’s training programme.
The prestigious tournament, which offers the leading finishers entry to a handful of the European Tour’s blue chip events including the BMW PGA Championship, will be staged over three days from November 22-24 on the acclaimed PGA Sultan Course – host to the 2012 Eisenhower Trophy.
The top three ranked players from each of the PGA’s seven highly-competitive regional Order of Merit circuits will qualify for the £15,000 event.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones welcomed Titleist’s increased involvement with the Association and said: “I’m delighted to welcome Titleist as a new title sponsor for the tournament.
“For many years they have supported our training programme for those who have wanted their careers within the business of golf.
“Now they are adding their support to PGA members who are aspiring to pursue their careers as tournament players.”
Jones also welcomed the choice of venue and added: “Being able to stage the play-offs in Turkey, in a warm weather climate, is a tremendous boost and can only enhance the event.
“It gives the regions’ leading players the chance to demonstrate their high level of skill on a very demanding course which is a great test of golf.
“Furthermore by extending the tournament to 54-holes it will ensure that we get the best players at the top of the pile and in contention to book their place in some leading European Tour events.
Ken Graham, Titleist director of UK sales, said: “As a PGA Partner we are delighted to extend our relationship with the PGA and support the new format of the PGA Play-Offs.
“Titleist strives to support the game at a variety of levels, from club golfers to the world’s best players, and our partnership with the PGA and the PGA Play-Offs offers a fantastic platform to strengthen our ties with all PGA professionals.
“I am sure the new format will cement this as one of the key fixtures in the PGA’s tournament calendar and Titleist looks forward to being a part of the event’s development in the coming seasons.”
Titleist www.titleist.co.uk
PGA www.PGA.info