American Express Cardmembers Gain Full Access To The Golf Lifestyle Now With Exclusive Daily Trophy Club Ticket Packages For 2007 U.S. Open® And Beyond
New York, N.Y. and Far Hills, N.J. – American Express and the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced a landmark agreement that makes American Express the USGA’s first corporate partner in the Association’s 112-year history. The multi-year agreement strengthens American Express’ association with the game of golf by bringing a premium level of customer service and unique benefits and experiences to Cardmembers and golf enthusiasts. In addition, this agreement will allow the USGA to broaden its communication with golfers.
Beginning Dec. 4, Cardmembers will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase daily otherwise sold-out Trophy Club tickets to the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. American Express will also deliver benefits to Cardmembers across a broad range of golf experiences. These experiences will include exclusive access to some of the USGA’s championships, exclusive access to play U.S. Open® courses, past and present, on select USGA-hosted days and a variety of benefits to enhance the enjoyment of the game.
"American Express is thrilled to be the first corporate partner of the USGA, the national governing body for the sport of golf," said Jud Linville, President of the Consumer Card Services Group, American Express. "This relationship is just one of the many ways we bring special access and experiences to our Cardmembers in the world of golf and across all of their passions, and we’re thrilled to offer them Trophy Club tickets to the 2007 U.S. Open, an event which has sold out every year for the last 20 years. Today is just the beginning of this great relationship and we look forward to working with the USGA to continue to bring our Cardmembers exceptional access to the golf lifestyle as well as increase awareness of all that the USGA has to offer."
"We are very pleased to announce this new agreement with American Express, a company whose programs and values we’ve admired for a long time," USGA President, Walter W. Driver Jr. said. "We believe this partnership will allow us to reach more golfers and make them more aware of our many programs that benefit their golf game. For example, we want more golfers to have a USGA Handicap Index®, know the Rules of Golf, join our Members Program, and abide by and appreciate the game’s etiquette and traditions. We believe that American Express is well positioned to help us make such outreach programs a success."
While attendees can expect an enhanced experience, corporate signage displayed on the grounds at the U.S. Open® will remain limited, as it has been in the past.
The USGA agreement adds to American Express’ existing portfolio of contributions to the golf lifestyle, including specially-designed travel packages, equipment and apparel offers through the Membership Rewards program, a dedicated golf magazine and an affiliation with some of golf’s greatest contemporary players.
Experience the U.S. Open
Beginning in 2007, the agreement provides American Express exclusive Trophy Club ticket allotments for the U.S. Open. Traditionally sold in weekly packages and only available to USGA members or through a random drawing, American Express is enabling Cardmembers to purchase daily Trophy Club tickets for the first time ever, providing unique access to one of golf’s largest and most prestigious competitions of the year. Each Trophy Club ticket provides access to the grounds at the Championship course and the Trophy Club, an exclusive onsite hospitality facility. Tickets are available to purchase with the American Express® Card or for the first time with Membership Rewards points. Beginning on Dec. 4, information on tickets can be found at www.americanexpress.com/entertainment.
Getting into the Game
American Express will help golf fans enjoy the game year-round. Special benefits will include unique Cardmember experiences, such as:
* Exclusive hospitality and ticket packages for the U.S. Open® and additional USGA championships
* Select opportunities for Cardmembers to play historic U.S. Open® Championship courses, past and present, on USGA-hosted days
* Access to the USGA’s collection of golf memorabilia and content, for example private tours of the USGA museum and private rules seminars
* USGA members will receive special offers from Travel + Leisure Golf, published by American Express Publishing Corporation.
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico. The Association’s most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open®, U.S. Women’s Open® and U.S. Senior Open®. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, maintains an official Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $53 million over 10 years to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org
About American Express
American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com or contact Meredith Goldblatt at 212-373-6151, American Express’ Bet Franzone at 212-640-1850 or the USGA’s Pete Kowalski at 908-234-2300. ext. 1322.
Contact:
mediarelations@usga.org
