Accenture extends World Match Play sponsorship
BY iseekgolf.com | US PGA Tour | 2006 Accenture Match Play Championship | General | 27 Feb 2006
Accenture and the International Federation of PGA Tours jointly announced Sunday that Accenture has extended its sponsorship of the Accenture Match Play Championship, for 2007 through 2010 and the event will move to Arizona beginning in 2007.
“We are delighted with Accenture’s extension of its sponsorship, continuing what has been a wonderful partnership,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours.
The Accenture Match Play Chamionship is part of the World Golf Championships, a series of global events that bring the world’s best golfers together in competion in various formats at a variety venues.
The cornerstone match-play event will move to the South Course at Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Ariz., approximately 20 miles north of Tucson. The Gallery Golf Club (www.gallerygolf.com) at Dove Mountain’s South course, which was designed by two-time PGA TOUR winner John Fought, is a 7,351 yard par-72 layout that opened in December of 2003. The Dove Mountain community, which is nestled in the canyons of the Tortolita Mountains, also features a North Course, which opened in 1998.
“We’ve had a wonderful experience at La Costa,” said James E. Murphy, Accenture’s chief marketing & communications officer. "And now we’re looking forward to the Accenture Match Play Championship continuing its global success at the South Course of The Gallery Golf Club outside Tucson."
All but one of the eight Accenture Match Play Championship events to date have been held at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.; the 2001 event was held at The Metropolitan Club in Melbourne, Australia. By extending its sponsorship, Accenture becomes the longest-running umbrella sponsor of a World Golf Championships series event.
The Tucson Conquistadores, a nonprofit civic organization which has organized the Tucson PGA TOUR event since 1966, will continue to play an active role with the Accenture Match Play Championship, primarily through hospitality and ticket sales.
“The Tucson Conquistadores have enjoyed a rewarding relationship with the PGA TOUR since 1966,” said Tom Arnold, president of The Conquistadores. “The Accenture Match Play Championship and a partnership with Accenture is by far the best thing that’s ever happened to the Conquistadores, our charities and our community. There are 60 years worth of PGA TOUR golf fans here ready to support Accenture every way we can.”
Proceeds from the Accenture Match Play Championship, as they are at all World Golf Championships, will be designated to the local chapter of The First Tee as well as other local and regional charities.
“The Accenture Match Play Championship will catapult Tucson and Southern Arizona’s profile as a golf destination,” said the Honorable BobWalkup, mayor of Tucson. “Over 140 countries and 350-plus million households tune in to this prestigious television event.”
“The Championship will have an over $100 million economic impact on our community. This is the largest impact any single event has brought to our community. We are honored Accenture and the PGA TOUR are giving Tucson residents, visitors and business leaders the opportunity to show them our fine Southwestern hospitality and style.”
The Accenture Match Play Championship traditionally has one of the year’s strongest fields. Tiger Woods is a two-time champion of the event and finished runner-up on another occasion.
Source – PGA Tour
