TULSA, OK – The John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic today announced the commitment by SemGroup, L.P. to be the presenting sponsor for the annual LPGA Tour event scheduled September 4 – 10 at Cedar Ridge Country Club. The Tournament will now be called the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic presented by SemGroup.
"We are excited to partner with the LPGA Tour, John Q. Hammons Hotels and Octagon in this first-class event for the Tulsa community," said Thomas Kivisto, President and CEO of SemGroup, L.P. "Our expectation is our commitment will enhance this event’s position as one of the top stops on the LPGA Tour."
SemGroup is a midstream service company providing the energy industry means to move products from the wellhead to the wholesale marketplace. It is based in Tulsa and is one of the country’s largest privately held corporations.
"To get the commitment from a corporate citizen like SemGroup makes me feel even better about my commitment to the Tournament and to Tulsa," said John Q. Hammons, Chairman of John Q. Hammons Industries and owner of the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center. "I am excited about the 2006 Tournament being our best yet."
Annika Sorenstam will defend her title in September and go for her fourth title in Tulsa in six years. Last year, Sorenstam held on to beat 2005 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Paula Creamer by one stroke and win back-to-back John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic titles.
"Our partnership with Mr. Hammons and the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center only grows with commitments from great local businessmen like Thomas Kivisto and Greg Wallace of SemGroup," said Jerry Wilkins, Director of Sales for Octagon, managers of the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic presented by SemGroup.
About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC
Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC is the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 62 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ properties are dominant in their markets. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 164 hotels. For more information, visit www.jqh.com.
About SemGroup, L.P.
SemGroup, L.P. is a midstream service company providing the energy industry means to move products from the wellhead to the wholesale marketplace. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is ranked No. 9 on Forbes magazine’s list of America’s Largest Private Companies. For additional information, visit www.semgrouplp.com.
About Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2006 features 34 events, with total prize money of nearly $50 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $170 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s preeminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information, visit www.LPGA.com.
About Octagon’s Golf Division
Octagon’s Golf Division manages some of the finest professional golf events including two Champions Tour events, The ACE Group Classic and the SAS Championship presented by Forbes; two LPGA Tour events, the Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury and the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic presented by SemGroup; and one Nationwide Tour event, The Rex Hospital Open. Octagon’s Golf Division also represents nearly 40 golfing professionals including Davis Love III, Chris Smith, Natalie Gulbis, Christina Kim, Meg Mallon, Beth Daniel, Tom Kite, Gary Koch, and brothers, Bobby and Lanny Wadkins.
About Octagon
Octagon is the global sports and event marketing company. It offers worldwide expertise across all eight major sports and event marketing disciplines: athletes & personalities, event management, consulting, property representation, TV rights and production, licensing and merchandising, talent procurement and marketing solutions. Octagon is part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), the world’s largest advertising and marketing communications group. The Interpublic Group is the only marketing communications and services group with a global sports marketing capability. Octagon employs over 1,500 people in 24 countries on all major continents. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.
Contact:
Jerry Wilkins
Director of Sales
(918)249-4444
jerry.wilkins@octagon.com
Michelle Berish
Marketing & Communications Manager
(919)531-0233
michelle.berish@octagon.com
