Bay Hill renamed Arnold Palmer Invitational
IN: News | US PGA | Arnold Palmer Invitational (2007) | General | 09 Mar 2006
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced today that the Tour's Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard is changing names after this year to honour its longtime host, World Golf Hall of Famer Arnold Palmer.
Beginning in 2007, the tournament will be known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. It is held annually at Palmer's Bay Hill Club.
"We have been discussing the possibility of a name change with Arnold and his family and how it would be an appropriate tribute to one of the game's all-time great champions and ambassadors," Finchem explained. "There was a strong sentiment to do this, and in the end we determined that it might as well occur sooner than later, particularly now that Arnold has consciously reduced his competitive playing schedule.
"Arnold has been the face of the tournament for a number of years, and it makes sense that it bears his name to honor his countless contributions to the tournament and to the PGA Tour."
"It has been a matter of great pride for me when my name was placed on an entity of one sort or another over the years, but I can't think of anything that brings me more pleasure and satisfaction than having it on the tournament that has meant so much to me for so long," Palmer said.
The tournament first was introduced as the Florida Citrus Open Invitational in 1966 at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando, before relocating to Bay Hill Club in 1979. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, which has been serving patients since 1989.
"The tournament name change is certainly most appropriate for the man who has changed the face of the sport over the last 50 years and continues to impact it on a daily basis," said Tournament Director Scott Wellington. "This will do nothing but provide even greater awareness for our event, our loyal and dedicated sponsors, and Mr. Palmer's hospital and the Orlando community as a whole. We are tremendously excited about the future of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard."
"MasterCard is proud to be associated with Arnold Palmer, a man who has done so much not just for the game of golf but for the Orlando community. We look forward to many more priceless moments both on the course and at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children," said Alan Heuer, Chief Operating Officer, MasterCard International.
Source - PGA Tour
