Stewart and Connor Cink to defend their title Dec. 11-14, 2014, Live on Golf Channel and NBC
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 30, 2014) – IMG Golf announced today that The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has renewed its contract as title sponsor of the PNC Father/Son Challenge.
PNC became title sponsor in 2012, bringing back the tournament that was held for 15 years from 1995-2008. The multi-year extension keeps the final event of the Champions Tour season in Orlando, Fla., reflecting PNC’s commitment to Central Florida.
“We are grateful for PNC’s continued support and pleased that the PNC Father/Son Challenge continues to allow fans to watch the legends of the game play the game they love with those they love most,” said Alastair Johnston, vice chairman of IMG.
The 20-team field will be made up of defending champions Stewart and Connor Cink and 19 more of the game’s greatest golfers and their son or daughter, all vying for the championship title Dec. 11-14 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes.
“Last year was the first time I had the privilege of playing in the PNC Father Son so I wasn’t quite sure how we would do,” said Stewart Cink. “We ended up playing great and had the best time together. It was an incredible event and a special week for our entire family. Winning the event and sharing the victory with my son was just icing on the cake.”
Past winners include Davis Love III (2012), Larry Nelson (2004, 2007-08), Bernhard Langer (2005-06), Hale Irwin (2003), Raymond Floyd (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001) and Jack Nicklaus (1999), who is scheduled to play this year with son, Jack Nicklaus II.
Community support is a key aspect of the tournament and PNC’s sponsorship. In the past two years, PNC has donated $300,000 to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Last year, all military personnel and children were admitted free and local non-profit organizations sold passes and used all the proceeds.
“As one of the nation’s largest banks, this tournament is a great way to promote our brand and make a difference in the community,” said Lou Cestello, who oversees PNC’s office of regional presidents.
Television coverage of the PNC Father/Son Challenge will air on Golf Channel from 2-3 p.m. ET and NBC from 3-6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14. Golf Channel will also air a Pro-Am Special on Friday, Dec. 12.
Now Available: Tickets and Volunteer Opportunities
Tickets are now on sale, priced at $15 per day or $45 for a full tournament pass (four days), by visiting www.pncfathersonchallenge.com or by calling 407-272-7506. Children age 15 years and younger receive complimentary admission with an accompanying adult.
Volunteer opportunities and skybox hospitality are available by calling Teo Sodeman at 301-440-2479.
To qualify for the PNC Father/Son Challenge, participants must have won either a major championship or THE PLAYERS Championship in their career. The professional’s partner must not currently hold a Tour card, and while the majority of partners in the history of the event have been the sons of the golf legends, the family-themed tournament has seen daughters and grandsons participate over the years.
The PNC Father/Son Challenge is operated in partnership by IMG and NBC Sports.
About PNC
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the United States’ largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of broadcast television, cable television, radio and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), Golf Channel, 12 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and all of their respective digital properties. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 30 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Consulting, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; world-class partnerships with sponsors, brands and broadcasters; and marquee assets across entertainment, events and fashion.
About Grande Lakes Orlando
Grande Lakes Orlando is a unique 500-acre resort with a luxury 582-room Ritz-Carlton and deluxe 1,000-room JW Marriott Hotels. In particular, the Grande Lakes Adventure Experiences program, which includes kayak and canoe eco-tours and a fishing school, reflects the resort’s natural surroundings. Grande Lakes also offers the culinary mastery of award-winning Chefs Norman Van Aken and Melissa Kelly, new total-wellness inspired treatment programs at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Golf Digest Schools’ golf instruction. The estate is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks.
Guests at both hotels can enjoy all the facilities and services at Grande Lakes Orlando, including the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa offering a new rooftop eco-space, a wide selection of natural treatments, baths and hydrotherapies. For more information about Grande Lakes Orlando, visit www.grandelakes.com.
Contact:
Mike Scanlan, IMG Golf, 216-436-3544, Mike.Scanlan@img.com
Liz McCollum, BZA PR on behalf of PNC Father/Son Challenge, 813-421-0550, elizabethm@bzapr.com
Dana Gordon, BZA PR on behalf of PNC Father/Son Challenge, 856-397-2917, danag@bzapr.com
Patrick McMahon, PNC, 412-762-4550, patrick.mcmahon@pnc.com
