Epson will be title sponsor of two Epson Tour events in 2013 and will increase player support
NAPLES, Fla. — Nov. 14, 2012 — Epson Tour Chief Business Officer Mike Nichols and Epson Vice President, Sales and Distribution Rick Lyons today announced that Epson, the Bellevue, Wash.-based life insurance company and sponsor of the Epson Tour — Road to the LPGA, has signed a multi-year agreement securing the naming rights for the Tour’s season-ending event, the Epson Tour Championship (formerly the Daytona Beach Invitational). Epson will continue to be the title sponsor of the Epson Classic, held in Charlotte, N.C.
In addition to increasing its tournament support in 2013, Epson will offer two players who earn their LPGA Tour cards — the Epson Tour Player of the Year and another player of Epson’s choosing — with $25,000 endorsements.
“We had such a successful first year with Epson as our Tour’s umbrella partner, and we are excited to deepen our relationship,” said Nichols. “It’s wonderful to have a partner that is so fully invested in both the Tour and the players who will be making their way onto the biggest stage in women’s golf.”
Epson Tour Player of the Year Esther Choe also participated in today’s announcement at the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Titleholders at TwinEagles Golf Club in Naples, Fla.
“We’re pleased to broaden our Epson Tour support with the addition of another title tournament, and we’re delighted to be affiliated with two rising golf stars,” said Jim Pirak, Epson senior vice president of Marketing. “Our inaugural year as sponsor of the Epson Tour has been an exciting one. We’ve watched our brand take flight along with the careers of many talented young golfers — and the response from our employees and business partners alike has been extraordinarily positive.”
The Epson Tour Championship will be the 2013 Tour’s season-ending event. Scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 29 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., it will be the Tour’s only four-day tournament and will continue to serve as the site for the LPGA Tour Card Ceremony. For the first time in Epson Tour history, the top 10 players on the 2012 season-ending money list were awarded equal, exempt LPGA Tour status for the 2013 season.
Epson began its partnership with the Tour in 2011 when it was the title sponsor of the Epson Classic in San Antonio, Texas. The event moved to Charlotte, N.C. in 2012 and will be held at Raintree Country Club again next season.