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Wachovia Championship Announces Contract Extension
PGA TOUR Coming to Charlotte through 2014
CHARLOTTE N.C., May 2, 2008—The Wachovia Championship will continue to play a major role in charitable endeavors and the professional sports landscape for the Charlotte region and beyond through 2014 thanks to a contract extension announced today by Wachovia Championship officials.
"From its inception in 2002, the Wachovia Championship was intended to be a tradition that would bring customers, players and golf fans back each year for an unforgettable experience," said Ken Thompson, Chairman and CEO for Wachovia Corporation. "As the title sponsor of the tournament, we are excited that what has come to be regarded as one of the finest events in professional golf will continue through 2014 and will maintain its commitment to giving the majority of the event's proceeds to Teach For America."
"This is another exciting day for everyone involved with the Wachovia Championship," said Executive Tournament Director Kym Hougham. "During the past five years, we have been humbled by the overwhelming support for our vision to make this a great Championship in an effort to raise significant charitable funds. We are extremely grateful to have this kind of commitment from our title sponsor and the full support from the PGA TOUR.
"Certainly, we could not conduct this event without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, the unselfish and gracious hospitality by the members at Quail Hollow Club, the spirit of our corporate partners and the support of some of the finest sports fans in the country," added Hougham. "This commitment by Wachovia and Quail Hollow Club will allow a great sport with model athletes to be a part of this community for years to come."
Now embarking on its sixth year at Quail Hollow Club, the $6.4 million Wachovia Championship has raised over $7.5 million for charity, including the tournament's primary charity Teach For America. The Charlotte area has so embraced the Championship it has been a sellout for six consecutive years and has attracted many of the world's top golfers to Charlotte, including 2003 champion David Toms, 2004 champion Joey Sindelar, 2005 champion Vijay Singh, 2006 champion Jim Furyk and 2007 champion Tiger Woods.
"Since first being staged in 2003, the Wachovia Championship has established itself as a favorite tournament among the players while showcasing Charlotte's true passion for world-class golf," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "It has been a tremendous success on every level, and this largely is attributable to the ongoing commitment of Wachovia. We're obviously very pleased that Wachovia has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of the tournament through 2014."
The 2009 Wachovia Championship will be held April 27-May 3, 2009 and in 2010 Championship week will be April 26-May 2. The PGA TOUR schedule has not been released for the duration of the Wachovia Championship extension.
"We have been thrilled over the partnership with Wachovia, the PGA TOUR and the Wachovia Championship during the past five years and we are eager to embrace the next six. The compliments from players regarding our golf course and the club's amenities have been extremely positive." said Quail Hollow Club president Johnny Harris. "I certainly want to thank the members of Quail Hollow Club for their patience, support and great energy toward the Wachovia Championship. We will continue to work hard and find ways to make the Wachovia Championship a memorable experience for the patrons, players and their families as they come to Quail Hollow Club through 2014."
About the Wachovia Championship
The Wachovia Championship is one of the largest, most prestigious sporting events in the Charlotte region. Now leading up to its sixth year, the tournament is intended as an annual tradition that will bring customers, players and patrons back each year for an unforgettable golf experience. In five years, the national and international golf community has already recognized it as one of the top events on the PGA TOUR. The 2008 tournament will be held April 28-May 4. Sponsored by Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB), the tournament's $6.4 million purse is one of the largest on the PGA TOUR. A combination of Quail Hollow Club, the spirit of the Charlotte area community and the support of Wachovia are several reasons the Wachovia Championship has and should continue to draw many of the world's top golfers to Charlotte.
For more information, visit the tournament website, www.wachoviachampionship.com.
About Wachovia
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with assets of $808.9 billion and market capitalization of $53.8 billion at March 31, 2008. Wachovia provides a broad range of retail banking and brokerage, asset and wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services to customers through 3,300 retail financial centers in 21 states from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and California, and nationwide retail brokerage, mortgage lending and auto finance businesses. Globally, clients are served in selected corporate and institutional sectors and through more than 40 international offices. Our retail brokerage operations under the Wachovia Securities brand name manage more than $1.1 trillion in client assets through 18,600 registered representatives in 1,500 offices nationwide.