Purse subsidy program projected to increase average purses by 25% in 2016

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 19, 2015 — Epson Tour Chief Business Officer Mike Nichols and Epson Assistant Vice President of Brand Development Kathryn Riley today announced that Epson has committed to a four-year extension as the exclusive title sponsor of the Epson Tour — Road to the LPGA. The Bellevue, Washington-based life insurance company will continue its role as the umbrella sponsor of the Epson Tour and two events on the tournament schedule — the Epson Classic held in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the season-ending Epson Tour Championship Presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“We’re pleased to extend our role as the Epson Tour’s title sponsor through 2021, and we’re delighted to be affiliated with the rising stars of women’s golf,” said Kathryn Riley. “Over the last few years, we’ve watched our brand take flight along with the careers of many talented young golfers — and the response from our business partners and employees alike has been extraordinarily positive.”

In addition to its sponsorship extension, which will run through the 2021 season and represent a decade of partnership, Epson also has pledged incremental dollars to a purse subsidy fund that provides a financial match to tournaments that raise their purses starting in 2016. As part of this program, the 2016 purses of the Epson Classic and Epson Tour Championship will increase to $150,000 and $200,000, respectively; the latter to a level that would have made it the second-highest purse on the 2015 schedule.

“Epson has been a committed partner for the past four years, but challenged us to find a way they could contribute to raising purses across the schedule,” said Nichols. “As the Epson Tour continues its growth, we are proud to have in Epson a partner that both sees the value of the Tour in helping build their brand and is fully invested in the future of women’s golf and the livelihood of our members.”

Epson began its partnership with the Road to the LPGA in 2010 as the title sponsor of the Epson Classic in San Antonio, Texas — an event that moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2012. The company then secured naming rights for the Epson Tour in November 2011. Formally known as the LPGA Futures Tour, the Epson Tour has served as the LPGA’s official developmental tour since 1999.

Epson Extends Title Sponsorship for ‘Epson Tour — Road to the LPGA’ through 2021

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