Multi-year agreement introduces the QBE Shootout
NAPLES, Fla. (April 11, 2017) – QBE, one of the largest insurers and reinsurers worldwide, and tournament host Greg Norman, announced today an agreement in which QBE will become the title sponsor of Southwest Florida’s annual PGA TOUR Challenge Season stop, now titled the QBE Shootout.
The Shootout, which has been a mainstay on the TOUR for 28 years, will be held December 6-10 at the Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. The PGA TOUR co-sanctioned event will continue to raise awareness and funds for a variety of worthy charitable causes.
“We are pleased to become the title sponsor of one of the most recognizable events on the PGA TOUR schedule,” said Russ Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of QBE North America. “In addition to The Shootout bringing together some of the world’s best and most prominent names in golf, the tournament provides financial support for very worthwhile charities. Giving back to our communities is in our DNA, which is why the opportunity to sponsor the Shootout was very attractive to us. There’s a very close alignment between the goals of the QBE Charitable Foundation and the philanthropic mission of Greg Norman’s event.”
“As one of the world’s premier insurance brands, QBE is the perfect partner for this event and we are thrilled to have them as our new title sponsor,” said Greg Norman. “The QBE Shootout is the longest running late-season tournament on the TOUR calendar and this new agreement assures a 30-year anniversary in 2018 which is sure to be a landmark event.”
“For nearly thirty years, the QBE Shootout has been a favorite event on many players’ late-year schedule,” said Andy Pazder, Chief Tournament and Competitions Officer for the PGA TOUR. “The opportunity to play in a team event with three unique formats makes it an exciting tournament for our players, spectators and television viewers. With QBE Insurance’s support, we’re very excited about the event’s future.”
The 2017 field will consist of 24 professionals paired into 12 two-person teams. The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday and a final-round better ball on Sunday.
Harris English and Matt Kuchar won the QBE Shootout last year by one stroke over Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly. It was the second title in three years for the team of English and Kuchar who are expected to defend their title this December.
For the latest QBE Shootout news and information, visit the official tournament website at www.qbeshootout.com, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/qbeshootout and follow us on Twitter @QBEshootout.
About QBE
QBE Insurance Group is one of the world’s top 20 specialized insurance and reinsurance companies, with operations in all the key insurance markets. QBE is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and is headquartered in Sydney. The company employees more than 14,000 people in 37 countries, with major U.S. regional headquarters in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.
About Greg Norman
Arguably the most successful athlete-turned-businessman in the world, Greg Norman is known as much for his entrepreneurial spirit in the boardroom as his dominance on the golf course. The internationally renowned “Great White Shark” won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including two Open Championships, and holds the distinction of defending his No. 1 position in the world golf rankings for 331 weeks. As one of the most prolific players in the game’s history, his astounding career culminated in 2001 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Greg Norman now transcends the game of golf, with over a dozen companies around the world bearing his name and the iconic shark logo as part of the Greg Norman Company, which he leads at Chairman & CEO.
www.shark.com
Contact:
Jane MacNeille, Greg Norman Company
jane.macneille@gregnorman.com
(561) 640-7000
Lee Patterson, QBE Shootout
Lee.patterson@gregnorman.com
704-553-4790
