NEWS

Westin Hotels named official hotel and resort of The PGA of America

By PGA of America
Published on

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.'s (NYSE: HOT) wellness-inspired Westin brand has been named "The Official Hotel and Resort of The PGA of America." The multi-year partnership formally commenced with the start of the PGA Expo in Las Vegas.

In addition, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members will enjoy exclusive access to PGA of America events as part of the recently launched "Game on With SPG" program. SPG members who bid their frequent-stay points using the SPG Moments platform can earn unique access to skybox, Wanamaker Club, International Pavilion and daily grounds tickets to marquee spectator events, including the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship.

"On behalf of the 27,000 men and women PGA Professionals worldwide, we are delighted to partner with Westin Hotels & Resorts, as it is named 'The Official Hotel and Resort of The PGA of America,'" said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "The Westin brand is synonymous with providing the finest in accommodations and destinations for luxury, business and consumer travelers, and this is another example of how the game of golf and The PGA's most illustrious spectator events are prime destinations for their travel, recreation and vacation needs."

PGA members will receive a 10 percent discount on Starwood hotel rooms. Golf fans will also enjoy historical highlight reels played in their guest rooms and suites at Westin Hotels beginning one month prior to each PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship.

"Westin's sponsorship of The PGA of America emphasizes our commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle," said Bob Jacobs, vice president, North America Brand Management, Sheraton and Westin, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Through this exciting partnership, we can provide great golf experiences to Westin loyalists and attract new travelers and golf enthusiasts to the brand."

"We are delighted to offer our SPG members access to some of the world's best golf through our new partnership with The PGA of America," said Chris Holdren, senior vice president, Starwood Preferred Guest. "Working with The PGA of America makes it possible for our members to connect with their passion for golf in unique ways. For example, our members can tee off in the 'Play Like the Pros Invitational,' enjoy top PGA Championships from the comfort of a skybox or gain access to private receptions."

About Starwood Preferred Guest
The SPG program's breakthrough policy of No Blackout Dates at the world's most sought after collection of hotels, reinvented the hospitality loyalty program when it launched in 1999. By creating a program centered on its members, SPG has developed the most passionate and knowledgeable membership base in the hotel loyalty space. Through its use of new technologies and innovative channels such as SPG.com, SPG.com/stayconnected, SPG.com/flights and others, SPG continues to innovate and lead the industry. By offering No Blackouts on standard rooms at over 1000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, No Blackouts on hundreds of airlines, and once in a lifetime experiences available through SPG Moments at spg.com/moments, the program has proven to be a big draw for the world's most frequent travelers, and a significant competitive advantage for Starwood. For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest please visit SPG.com or call (877) – STARWOOD.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts makes the healthiest choices irresistibly appealing, so guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. With over 170 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and territories, Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1058 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit starwoodhotels.com.

About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a two-fold 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 a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable 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.