Kodak becomes Official Imaging Provider of the PGA TOUR; Six more holes added to Kodak Challenge
ROCHESTER, NY and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL, Jan. 26 – Kodak and the PGA TOUR today announced an expansion of their marketing partnership that includes several new official categories, plus the addition of six holes to the Kodak Challenge.
Under terms of the new agreement, Kodak is now the Official Imaging Provider of the PGA TOUR, as well as the Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, adding the official category designations of Camera, Printer and Scanner. This expands upon the original six-year Official Marketing Partnership between Kodak and the PGA TOUR that began in 2008 and that also includes the first-of-its-kind Kodak Challenge competition, Kodak branding on digital scoreboards and corporate hospitality.
“Kodak is proud to announce that we are strengthening our commitment to the PGA TOUR by becoming the Official Imaging Provider, as well as adding six new holes to the Kodak Challenge,” said Jeffrey W. Hayzlett, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “The additional categories will enable us to promote more of our products to fans and consumers as well as B-to-B customers – from our digital cameras to our All-in-One Printers, to our commercial digital presses. Plus, the addition of six holes will allow us to bring the Kodak Challenge to more fans in more markets who can follow the Kodak Challenge all season long.”
Celebrating beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR, the Kodak Challenge now will feature 30 holes throughout the 2009 season, adding The Honda Classic – hole #16 at PGA National Champion Course; Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard – hole #18 at Bay Hill Club and Lodge; Shell Houston Open – hole #18 at Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course; WGC-CA Championship – hole #8 at Doral Golf Resort; WGC-Bridgestone Invitational – hole #16 at Firestone Country Club South Course; and a final tournament to be determined.
“We are extremely pleased to broaden our partnership with Kodak, incorporating some additional official categories as well as expanding the presence of the Kodak Challenge on the PGA TOUR,” said Tom Wade, Chief Marketing Officer of the PGA TOUR. “We have had very positive feedback from our tournaments, players and fans, and we are pleased to increase the Kodak Challenge by six holes.”
The Kodak Challenge teed off at the Mercedes-Benz Championship with the par-5 18th hole at The Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort inHawaii and continued this past week at The 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer at the par-3 17th hole of Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST in California. After two Kodak Challenge holes, Johnson Wagner is atop the leaderboard at 3-under-par. The Kodak Challenge continues this week at the FBR Open with the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
In 2009, 30 PGA TOUR tournaments will feature a designated Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to compete for
$1 million and the Kodak Challenge trophy. A player’s lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will be counted. The player with the lowest cumulative score relative to par wins. In the case of a tie, a sudden death playoff will take place on the final Kodak Challenge hole immediately following the conclusion of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in November.
The Kodak Challenge holes were selected by the Kodak Challenge Advisory Board in collaboration with Kodak and the PGA TOUR. Advisory Board members are David Feherty, CBS Sports golf analyst; Rees Jones, golf course architect; Jules Alexander, golf photographer; Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Senior VP, Tournament Administration; and Lance Barrow, CBS Sports golf, Coordinating Producer. Holes were selected based on their beauty and their connection to memorable moments in golf and are featured on kodakchallenge.com.
For more on the Kodak Challenge visit kodakchallenge.com and pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, twitter.com/kodakchallenge, and 1000words.kodak.com/kodakchallenge.
About Kodak
As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
More than 70 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery – join for free today at www.kodakgallery.com.
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.
In 2009, the three Tours compete in 102 events for more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR’s web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Contact:
Krista Gleason, Kodak 585-724-5952 krista.gleason@kodak.com
Chris Smith, PGA TOUR 904-273-3379 csmith@pgatourhq.com
Jon Connor, Ketchum 646-935-4391 jonathan.connor@ketchum.com
