AUGUSTA, Ga. (June 13, 2011) – Sponsoring a major golf tournament where players walk rather than ride in one of its vehicles may seem ironic for the world’s largest golf car company. But Club Car views the PGA Professional National Championship, the PGA of America’s preeminent event for club professionals, as a perfect fit.
“The PGA Professional National Championship is the premier event for PGA professionals who compete at an elite level,” said Club Car President and CEO Gary Michel. “These are the professionals who help grow the game and perpetuate its values on a daily basis at golf facilities across the nation. We’re thrilled to be associated with this event.”
The 44th PGA Professional National Championship, which will be played at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa., June 26-29, is presented by Club Car and Mercedes-Benz. Since 1993, Club Car has sponsored the event, which brings together the top players from among 27,000 PGA Professionals. Club Car also is sponsor of the 41 PGA Section Championships conducted nationwide to determine the field for the 72-hole championship.
PGA of America President Allen Wronowski, who called Club Car “a tremendous friend to the PGA Professional and the game of golf,” said the company’s longstanding support has been instrumental in enhancing the Professional National Championship over the years. “Club Car’s involvement has been one of the foundations to the success of our most popular member championship.”
During the championship, Club Car will play a behind-the-scenes role, displaying a handful of its Precedent golf cars on the grounds at the Hershey Country Club.
“For 51 weeks during the year, these players are our customers and prospects,” said Michel. “But for the week of the event, they’re focused on their games, as they should be. Our presence is simply to remind them that we’re there for them and their clubs every week of the year.”
In addition to golf cars and utility vehicles, Club Car also makes the Club Car Solutions Network available to PGA Professionals. An alliance of leading providers of complementary products and services, the Solutions Network helps golf course owners, operators and professionals increase revenues and control costs.
Established in 1968 as an outgrowth of the PGA Championship, the PGA Professional National Championship roster of champions includes Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert and Bruce Fleisher. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of $1.5 million.
About Club Car
Club Car has been one of the most respected names in the golf industry for more than half a century. The company’s dependable and efficient Precedent golf cars and Carryall Turf utility vehicles are integral to the successful operations of thousands of courses in the U.S. and around the world. The world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles is also recognized as an innovation leader. The Visage Mobile Golf Information System is the latest in a long line of technical advances that improve the golfer’s experience as well as help courses operate more efficiently. The Augusta, Ga.-based company, a division of Ingersoll Rand, is equally respected for the support it provides the game’s leading associations and organizations, including the PGA of America, the NGCOA, EGCOA, GCSAA, CMAA, The First Tee and the Executive Women’s Golf Association. For more information, go to clubcar.com and ingersollrand.com.
About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Tim Walls, Club Car
(800) 227-0739, ext. 7190, tim_walls@clubcar.com
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
(678) 366-3232, bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
