Kia Classic moves to Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms as LPGA returns
to Los Angeles area for first time since 2005
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 18, 2010 – The LPGA today announced that Kia Motors America (KMA) has
signed a two-year extension to its title sponsorship of the Kia Classic. Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms in
the City of Industry, Calif. will host the second-year event in 2011, marking the LPGA’s return to the Los Angeles
area for the first time since 2005. Last year’s site for the inaugural Kia Classic, La Costa Resort & Spa, was unable
to continue as host due to an extensive golf course renovation planned for 2011. The tournament, which will feature
a 144-player field, will be played March 21-27.
Kia’s sponsorship of the Southern California-based tournament complements its sports marketing activities in the
U.S., including its partnership with two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie, who is the brand’s official golf ambassador.
Kia is also the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), and recently completed its
inaugural U.S. motorsports campaign in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.
“High-profile sports marketing initiatives have become a core element of our marketing strategy, and the increased
exposure and enhanced brand awareness the inaugural Kia Classic tournament provided made it an easy decision
to extend our relationship with the LPGA and return as the title sponsor,” said Michael Sprague, vice president,
marketing and communications, KMA. “We are pleased to once again bring the fun and excitement of world-class
competition, including Michelle Wie and all of the talented LPGA players, to golf fans in Southern California.”
“Year after year, Kia continues to increase its market share in the U.S. with its value and transformative design,”
said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “Like Kia, our players have ‘The Power to Surprise’ both on and off the golf
course. We are extremely happy to renew our partnership with Kia and look forward to bringing the best female
professional golfers in the world back to the Los Angeles market.”
The tournament will mark the return of the LPGA to Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms following the 1981 and
1982 Olympic Gold Classic. The 72-hole event will be played on a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower (The
Ike) and Babe Didrikson Zaharias (The Babe) courses. These championship courses were recently honored with
awards from the National Golf Course Owners Association, “2010 Best In The USA” and Southland Golf
Magazine’s “2010 Best Course Of The Year” in Southern California.
Tickets for the event are now on-sale at www.KiaClassic.com. Access to the tournament course is complimentary
on Monday and Tuesday of tournament week, while Wednesday Pro-Am tickets are available for $10 advance
purchase/$15 at the gate. Weekly grounds tickets provide the best value at $50 advance purchase/$55 gate, while
Individual Competition Day tickets are available for $20 advance purchase/$25 gate.
Kia Motors America in 2010
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled
vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S.
market share. With four new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised
to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety
features and new technology such as UVO powered by Microsoft®1 advanced hands-free in-car entertainment and
communication system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning later this year). The
launch of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled2 at Kia’s first
U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South
Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 700 dealers throughout the United States. For
2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a
philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing
vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”
Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its
full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit
www.kiamedia.com.
About Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms
Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms is a lush 650-acre oasis setting overlooking the majestic San Gabriel
Mountains, 25 minutes from both Downtown Los Angeles and Disneyland. The award winning club offers guests
the legendary Ike and Babe championship courses, a bi-level driving range, short game practice area and four
putting greens. Discover for yourself why it is Golf Digest’s only four-star experience in Los Angeles County. In
addition, Industry Hills surrounds the all-inclusive Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center, which features a
certified conference center, 292 guest rooms, three dining options and a luxury spa.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association
celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries.
With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour
Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly
impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Duramed FUTURES Tour serves as the
official developmental tour of the LPGA, consistently producing a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The
LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on
the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga.official, www.twitter.com/lpga, and
www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.
Contact:
David Higdon
LPGA Chief Communications Officer
david.higdon@lpga.com
+1 386/843-0073
Greg Ball
BZAPR
gregb@bzapr.com
+1 760/271-9183
