A boost for LPGA Tour: Stanford
to sponsor Tour Championship

It's not all bad news on the LPGA Tour sponsorship front.
Stanford Financial Group, already a prominent sponsor in professional golf, will further expand their presence in the sport. The Houston-based company will become the new title sponsor of the LPGA's Tour Championship.
The 2009 Stanford Financial Tour Championship, to be held November 19-22 in Houston, Texas, will feature a $2,000,000 purse.
“Stanford Financial is a big believer in the LPGA and women's golf, and we are extremely proud to support this prestigious event on the LPGA Tour calendar,” said Sir Allen Stanford, Chairman and CEO, Stanford Financial Group. “While we are a global company, Stanford has deep Texas roots and our North America headquarters is proudly based in Houston. I look forward to bringing the very best in women's golf to Texas.”
Stanford's support of the LPGA Tour Championship complements their existing golf sponsorship portfolio which includes the Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, and endorsements of US PGA Tour stars Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas, as well as LPGA Tour star Morgan Pressel. Stanford Financial also spearheaded the hugely successful golf-based fund-raising program “Eagles for St Jude”, which raises funds for St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
“Stanford is a leader in their industry, and they have certainly demonstrated leadership as a sponsor in golf as well,” said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. “Their commitment to quality is evident in everything that they do. The LPGA Tour and its players are very proud to call Stanford our partner. We look forward to concluding the 2009 Tour season with the Stanford Financial Tour Championship that will showcase our best players from around the world.”
Stanford's golf portfolio enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with PGA TOUR player ambassadors Vijay Singh winning the 2008 FedEx Cup and Camilo Villegas winning the last two playoff events to finish second in the FedEx Cup standings. Stanford, with a significant re-branding effort, has also played a lead role in helping to elevate the Stanford St. Jude Championship's prominence on the PGA TOUR.
“As an ambassador for the Stanford brand, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Stanford and have seen just how committed they are in everything they do, especially as it relates to their work in the community,” said Pressel. “The Tour Championship obviously is a signature event for the LPGA, and I know all of the players appreciate the support of sponsors like Stanford.”

.... and more good news for the LPGA Tour

The LPGA and Anheuser-Busch have announced an extension of their marketing partnership, which includes keeping Michelob ULTRA as the tour’s official beer.
Anheuser-Busch has been a sponsor of the tour since 1994.
Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the LPGA is focused on its Michelob ULTRA brand, which is targeted at adult beer drinkers who lead active lifestyles.
Michelob ULTRA’s sponsorship execution includes promotions on LPGA.com, Michelob ULTRA 19th Hole hospitality programs at select LPGA events and at retail with LPGA-themed point of sale materials and advertising.
Michelob ULTRA also is the title sponsor of the tour’s Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, played in May at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia