Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014 (LOUISVILLE, KY.) – OMEGA, the Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America and the 2014 PGA Championship, has extended its partnership agreement with the PGA of America through 2022.
The agreement was announced today at a special press conference with OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart, PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua, PGA of America Present Ted Bishop and OMEGA Ambassador Rory McIlroy at Valhalla Golf Club, site of the 96th PGA Championship. The new agreement will see the Swiss maker of prestige watches continue to serve as Official Patron and Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America for another eight years beginning in 2015, further reinforcing the brand’s commitment to the growth of the game of golf globally and across the United States.
“We are delighted to extend our agreement with the PGA of America through 2022,” said Urquhart. “With our tournaments in Europe and Asia, OMEGA has long supported the growth of golf as a global game, and our involvement in the premier events organized by the PGA of America – including the much-anticipated 2014 PGA Championship – has given us a fantastic platform to develop the brand in the important American market.”
In 2011, OMEGA entered into a far-reaching strategic marketing and sponsorship agreement with the PGA of America. In September 2012, OMEGA and the PGA of America announced that they elevated their partnership to an elite status that raised OMEGA’s brand designation with the PGA from “Official Partner” to “Official Patron.”
The new long-term partnership will continue to enhance the brand’s rich history in sports as Official Timekeeper of the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Ryder Cup (when held in the United States), PGA Professional National Championship and PGA Golf Properties. It further aligns OMEGA with the world’s largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals, who are recognized for their expertise in teaching the game, promoting the game, and managing golf facilities.
The extended agreement also includes advertising on golf telecasts of PGA of America championship events, marketing support for the PGA’s player development efforts and support for PGA members and their facilities.
“This agreement with OMEGA marks the longest extension by an Official Patron partner in PGA history and serves as a proud moment for the PGA of America and our Professionals,” said Bevacqua. “We’re delighted that OMEGA, a company deeply committed to precision and excellence in its products, connects to the game of golf and the PGA in such a comprehensive manner. The fact that they will remain a major sponsor of our championship events and owned-and-operated golf facilities, as well as a proud supporter of PGA Professionals everywhere, speaks to the unique position the PGA carries as the experts in the game and business of golf.”
OMEGA will support PGA Professionals’ growth through sponsorships of PGA Summits at the PGA Merchandise Show, PGA Fashion & Demo Experience and PGA golf expositions in China. The company will also sponsor the PGA Professional Player of the Year Award and provide support to all 41 PGA Sections.
Additional elements of the multi-faceted partnership agreement include significant support of a member-benefit OMEGA timepiece program and a facility clock program, both exclusive to PGA Professionals; corporate hospitality at all PGA major championships; and OMEGA clocks positioned at PGA Golf Properties – including PGA Golf Club, PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance, PGA Country Club, and Valhalla Golf Club.
For more information on the PGA of America, please visit www.PGAMediaCenter.com.
OMEGA and the Game of Golf
For years, golf sponsorship has been a vital part of OMEGA’s strategy, and the brand is proud to be associated with some of the sport’s best events.
OMEGA’s dedication to promoting the game of golf internationally is underscored by its title sponsorship of the European Masters in Switzerland, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters – two of the most prestigious sporting events in the Middle East – and the brand’s role as Official Timekeeper of the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup when it is contested in the United States.
Some of golf’s most exciting players are on OMEGA’s roster of brand ambassadors including Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Harris English, S.Y. Noh and Kyle Stanley, as well as one of the game’s true legends, Greg Norman. LPGA stars Stacy Lewis, Shanshan Feng and Michelle Wie are also part of the OMEGA family, along with coaches Hank Haney and Michael Breed.
OMEGA’s presence in the world of golf continues to grow and the brand will be on hand as Official Timekeeper in 2016, when the sport returns to the Olympic Games for the first time in more than a century, underscoring the brand’s commitment to the game of golf, and its role as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, a title it has proudly held since 1932.
About OMEGA
Founded in 1848, the brand has built its reputation on innovative watchmaking and the quality and reliability of its timepieces. OMEGA’s pioneering spirit has been demonstrated in its conquests of the oceans’ depths and its role in every NASA piloted mission since 1965, including all six lunar missions. OMEGA has long supported the sport of golf internationally, serving as title sponsor of the OMEGA European Masters, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters, and of the PGA of America since 2011. OMEGA’s rich history in sports timekeeping includes its role as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games – a responsibility it has assumed at 26 Olympic Games since 1932.
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