USGA Announces Joe Montana as Honorary Ambassador of 119th U.S. Open Championship
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today named Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Montana as the 2019 U.S. Open Championship’s Honorary Ambassador.
The 119th U.S. Open Championship will be played June 13-16 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.
One of the most iconic figures in sports, Montana is a Bay Area legend, having spent 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, winning four Super Bowls while earning Most Valuable Player honors in three of those victories. Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game, two-time NFL MVP Montana is the franchise’s all-time leader in both passing yards and touchdown passes. Montana’s No. 16 jersey was retired by the 49ers in 1997, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
“Bay Area fans love their champions. They live for the excitement and joy of major sporting events, and there is no bigger event in golf than the U.S. Open,” said Montana. “I am excited that our area is hosting the most complete test of golf and look forward to being at Pebble Beach in June to watch the best players in the game compete on one of the most spectacular venues in the world.”
In addition to his success on the gridiron, Montana is also a passionate golfer, having spent his youth as a caddie at his local course in Pennsylvania. He has also hosted and participated in numerous golf events supporting a variety of causes throughout the Bay Area.
“Joe’s love for golf combined with his prominence in the Bay Area and across the country make him a perfect fit for the role of honorary ambassador,” said John Bodenhamer, senior managing director, Championships. “We are delighted to welcome Joe to the USGA team as we prepare for the 119th U.S Open at iconic Pebble Beach.”
Brooks Koepka, who in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club became the seventh player to win back-to-back U.S. Opens, will be looking to become only the second three-peat champion (Willie Anderson, 1903-1905) when Pebble Beach hosts its sixth U.S. Open.
Limited daily and multi-day ticket packages are still available. For more information, or for any questions related to 119th U.S. Open Championship tickets, visit usopen.com, email ticketquestions@usga.org, or call 1.800.698.0661.
NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT CAN BE FOUND HERE
About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Altstadter
USGA Communications
908-326-1880
jaltstadter@usga.org
mediacenter.usga.org
