Ryder Cup-style tournament taking place June 9-11th; Event celebrates
Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf
ORLANDO, Fla., June 8, 2017 – The Arnold Palmer Cup, an event co-founded by Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), and supported by Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation, will tee-off the 20th edition of the three-day Ryder Cup-style tournament on June 9th at Atlanta Athletic Club, in Johns Creek, GA.
The Arnold Palmer Cup is a signature event of Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation – entrusted to carry on the legacy of Mr. Palmer’s lifetime commitment to philanthropy. The event provides a platform for perpetuating Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf. Started in 1997 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla., the Arnold Palmer Cup features top male university/college golfers matching the United States against Europe.
Since its inception, the Arnold Palmer Cup has not only become a launching pad for young rising golf professionals from around the world, but it has become a breeding ground for many of the game’s future stars. In fact, the event has produced over 100 players who have gone on to earn PGA or European Tour cards, and can proudly claim 178 professional victories, multiple major champions and nearly two dozen Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup members. Noted alumni include Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Billy Horschel, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Thomas, Bill Haas, Thomas Pieters and Matt Kuchar, among others. To date, the United States leads the series 10-9-1.
“The Arnold Palmer Cup is an event that meant so much to Mr. Palmer in cultivating the next generation of golfers, while providing unwavering support for amateur golf,” said Kevin Bingham, CEO, Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation. “As part of the Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation portfolio, the Arnold Palmer Cup is integral in helping to celebrate a Life Well Played and driving forward on Mr. Palmer’s unmatched commitment to philanthropy, and a lifetime dedicated to making lives better around the world.”
As this will be the first Arnold Palmer Cup without the king present, perhaps nothing captures the essence of the late Arnold Palmer more than the newly designed Arnold Palmer Cup Trophy – the most symbolic trophy in all of sports. The winning team this year will have their name inscribed in the trophy base that features the bronzed hands of the late legend, symbolic of Mr. Palmer passing the values of “A Life Well Played” to a new generation.
Bingham adds, “In 2017, and beyond, programs and events that encompass the AACF will be supported through the newly created Legacy Program, which is a collaboration of key business partners whose values closely align with Mr. Palmer. The first 3 legacy partners truly reflect the ideals and vision of Mr. Palmer, highlighted by a longstanding partnership with MasterCard, a 35+year partnership with Hertz and Golf Channel/NBC sports, which Mr. Palmer helped establish in 1995.”
On the heels of this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup at Atlanta Athletic Club, the 2018 event will be contested from July 6-8 at Evian Resort Golf Club in France, which is also host of LPGA major The Evian Championship. 2018 will mark the first time the Arnold Palmer Cup will be held under an expanded format that includes both men’s and women’s USA collegiate golfers, competing side-by-side against their counterparts from around the world. The expanded format in 2018, which will also be the first Arnold Palmer Cup to be held on continental Europe, speaks directly to Mr. Palmer’s inclusive vision for the future of the game.
For more information on the Arnold Palmer Cup, visit www.arnoldpalmercup.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ArnoldPalmerCup or on Twitter and Instagram at @ArnoldPalmerCup.
About Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation
Arnold Palmer’s go-for-broke style of golf bolstered a legion of fans, coined by the press as Arnie’s Army. Palmer’s charisma and unfailing sense of kindness endeared him to millions around the world. Over the past four decades, the Palmer family contributed time and resources to helping others, making a profound impact on many lives. Founded in 2015, Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation has been entrusted to continue Arnold’s legacy of philanthropy by investing in the health, well-being and development of children & youth. For more information, or to join Arnie’s Army, visit www.ArniesArmy.org.
Contact:
Ari Edelman (aedelman@mastrocomm.com)
Jared Minski (jared@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications @ 732-469-5700
