Titlest/FootJoy, Nike Golf, TaylorMade Golf Company named supporting sponsors for the 44th PGA Professional National Championship

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Titleist/FootJoy, Nike Golf and TaylorMade Golf Company, a trio comprised of industry leaders, have been named supporting sponsors of the PGA Professional National Championship and the 41 PGA Section Professional Championships conducted nationwide beginning in 2011 and extending through the 2013 PGA Professional National Championship.

The 44th PGA Professional National Championship presented by Club Car and Mercedes-Benz features a $550,000 purse and a 312-player field, and makes its debut, June 26-29, at Hershey (Pa.) Country Club's East and West Courses.

Titleist/FootJoy previously served as a presenting sponsor of the National and Section Championships since 1997, during a period when the Championship evolved into the "major" for PGA Professionals nationwide.

"Titleist/FootJoy's support has been instrumental in elevating the Section and the National Championships to today's high level," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "With the terrific addition of Nike Golf and TaylorMade Golf Company, this unique sponsorship format ensures that our National and Section Championships continue to prosper and present the highest caliber of Championship golf."

"As one of the founding partners of the PGA Professional National Championship, Acushnet Company is pleased to play a role in the evolution of the Championship," said Peter Broome, Vice President Business Partnerships, Acushnet Company. "The PNC at both the National and Section level is the club professional's major championship, and the history of the industry-leading Titleist and FootJoy brands is rooted in its support of the club professional and The PGA of America. We are proud to have been a big part of the Championship since 1997, and look forward to contributing to its success for many years to come. Sponsorship of these National and Section events is an extension of our unwavering and unparalleled commitment to the club professional."

TaylorMade Golf Company had previously supported the PGA Professional National Championship as a title sponsor from 1990 to 1992, and returned later as a supporting sponsor.

"Our long-standing relationship with The PGA of America and our team of TaylorMade-adidas Golf Staff Professionals has been a key strategic component of our company's growth over the past decade," said David Abeles, executive vice president and general manager of TaylorMade Golf. "We are extremely excited about our supporting sponsorship of the PGA Professional National Championship and a strengthened commitment to service golf professionals with our products and people at 41 PGA Section Professional Championships as well as the National Championship."

"Nike Golf is pleased to further our relationship with The PGA of America through sponsoring the 41 PGA Section Professional Championships and National Championship," said Mike Francis, U.S. General Manager of Nike Golf. "We are committed to the success of PGA Professionals and in particular, our Nike Golf Staff Professionals. As leaders in their given PGA Sections and stewards of our Nike Golf brand and products, a large part of our success is due to the feedback we receive from our staff. What better way to show our appreciation for all PGA Professionals than by supporting such an important group of PGA of America Championships."

The PGA Professional National Championship and 41 Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. The PGA Professional National Championship will be televised by GOLF CHANNEL all four rounds. The 44th PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Club Car and Mercedes-Benz. The PGA Tour is a supporting sponsor of PGA of America Professional Championships and GOLF CHANNEL is the exclusive media partner of The PGA Professional National Championship.

About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.