LPGA.com counts down to the end of 2014 with the LPGA Tour's top 14 stories of the year. Join us as we look back at the year's most memorable milestones. Read about the LPGA’s Major Security in Story No. 7.
While it was a memorable year on the course for the LPGA, a pair of Major announcements highlighted the growth and sustainability of the LPGA off it.
In late May, Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Center served as the backdrop for the announcement of the partnership between KPMG, the PGA of America, NBC and the LPGA in the creation of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
On the stage where the likes of John Belushi, Chris Farley and Will Ferrell honed their craft on Saturday Night Live, LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan, KPMG Global Chairman John Veihmeyer, then PGA of America President Ted Bishop and Stacy Lewis spoke to the importance of the new agreement.
“The LPGA Championship has a very proud 60-year tradition and I couldn’t be more excited to carry this forward in an even bigger way with the partnership of KPMG, the PGA of America and NBC. The Championship will now reach even greater levels of global exposure, player opportunities, and community impact,” said Whan. “This event will change lives – both for the female professionals that will compete in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and for the women it will impact in both the women’s leadership summit and community initiative.”
As if the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship weren’t a big enough announcement for the LPGA, it went just as big, think Boeing 787 big, for its announcement of the ANA Inspiration.
During the week of the CME Group Tour Championship in November, the LPGA introduced its new title sponsor for “Golf’s First Major” with all the fixings including past champions in the ceremonial robes, a cockpit message from Commissioner Whan and even flight attendants.
“This partnership not only elevates one of the game’s greatest championships but also ensures that a major LPGA tradition will continue to grow and reach new heights,” Whan said. “We are excited to welcome ANA to the LPGA family and grateful for their vision. Because of ANA, future generations of golfers all over the world can dream of competing at this spectacular venue with hopes of a leap into the same pond that has welcomed some of the greatest players in history.”
The additions of KPMG and ANA as Major partners have locked up the two of the LPGA’s premier events for many years to come. Now all that’s left is the players teeing it up and making some new memories in 2015.
)
)
)
)
