01/20/2016, Fountain Valley, CA and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 20, 2016 – The PGA TOUR and Hyundai announced today an agreement commencing in 2017 that will make Hyundai the new title sponsor of the TOUR’s longstanding tournament at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Hyundai, which has its U.S. headquarters in nearby Fountain Valley, Calif., will be shifting its previous sponsorship from the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii to what currently is the Northern Trust Open.
Yesterday, it was announced that Northern Trust will replace Barclays as title sponsor of the first FedExCup Playoff tournament held annually in the New York/New Jersey area, also beginning in 2017.
“Considering that Hyundai Motor America is headquartered and heavily invested in the greater Los Angeles area, this is a perfect fit for Hyundai’s long-term vision and goals as a tournament sponsor,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Hyundai is a terrific partner that has actively promoted the Hyundai Tournament of Champions since becoming title sponsor in 2011 and used the event to broaden awareness of its brand and products. We are very excited to continue our relationship with Hyundai and look forward to helping with the transition to Riviera Country Club for 2017.”
“The PGA TOUR’s Los Angeles tournament is the signature golf event in the country’s second-biggest market, is broadcast nationally on CBS and is located in the backyard of Hyundai’s headquarters in Orange County,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “During the past six years, we’ve continued to expand our relationship with the game of golf and there is no better tournament for us to be associated with. We can’t wait to showcase Hyundai vehicles to the millions of Los Angeles golf fans and those watching on TV and, most importantly, continuing the event’s long history of charitable activities.”
“It’s worth adding that Hyundai had a tremendous six years as title sponsor of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and helped elevate the stature of the tournament, while making a significant impact on numerous local organizations in Hawaii,” said Zuchowski. “The tournament is in a position of strength and we look forward to watching its continued success.”
An important aspect of Hyundai’s sponsorship of the Tournament of Champions has been its charitable work through Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a national independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping kids fight cancer. The program is supported by Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 dealers nationwide. In association with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, more than $550,000 has been donated to the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women Children.
Beginning in 2017, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will be integrated into the charitable activities of the tournament.
The PGA TOUR is committed to identifying a new title sponsor for the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Hyundai will be aligning with one of the longest-running tournaments on the PGA TOUR. It debuted in 1926 at Los Angeles Country Club as the Los Angeles Open. The tournament was staged at various courses throughout the Los Angeles area before permanently settling at Riviera Country Club in 1973.
Northern Trust became title sponsor in 2008 and over the past eight years has helped restore its reputation as a premier event on the PGA TOUR. The purse was immediately increased by $1 million in Northern Trust’s first year and its charitable contributions began to grow. In 2015, more than $2 million was given to non-profit organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, raising total contributions since Northern Trust became involved to $11.7 million and the tournament’s all-time contributions to more than $60 million.
“I would be remiss not to acknowledge the tremendous work Northern Trust has done to help reinvigorate the tournament,” Finchem said. “We look forward to having another outstanding Northern Trust Open next month (February 25-31) and are excited about the upcoming changes for 2017 as we welcome Hyundai in Los Angeles and The Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury (Long Island, N.Y.).”