The LPGA Tour and Epson America, Inc., have announced a five-year agreement to kick off the technology company’s title sponsorship of exclusive naming rights to the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA.
The newly named Epson Tour enters its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The LPGA and Epson brands come together in this global initiative to celebrate women in the spirit of competition.
The Epson Tour sponsorship takes effect immediately and extends through the 2026 calendar year. The Epson Tour will award LPGA Tour membership to the top-10 players on the Race for the Card money list at the end of each season. Epson America’s parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, “Epson”), also becomes an Official Partner of the LPGA Tour and the Epson Tour.
“We are delighted to welcome Epson to the LPGA Tour family. This ground-breaking partnership will provide expanded opportunities for the future stars of the game from around the globe to test their talent and take one step closer to realizing their dreams,” states Mollie Marcoux Samaan, tour commissioner, LPGA Tour.
“We are grateful that Epson shares our commitment to supporting young female athletes as they grow and develop and to playing an active role in the growth and equity in women’s sports. The ‘Road to the LPGA’ has never been better.”
Epson LPGA Alliance Represents Electronics Company’s Efforts to Diversify
Epson and the LPGA’s commitment to enhancing player experiences and events by focusing on the support and empowerment of all Epson Tour members throughout their time on Tour and upon graduation to the LPGA demonstrates their ongoing commitment to diversity, while achieving Epson’s aspirational goals of sustainability and enriching communities, asserts the global electronics company.
“Epson’s support for the LPGA and the Epson Tour underscores a corporate commitment to empowering women and helping launch the careers of these exceptional individuals,” comments Keith Kratzberg, CEO, Epson America, Inc.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to support these elite athletes and their individual journeys to qualify for the LPGA Tour, and beyond.”
The yearly Epson Tour Ambassador Program will officially begin in 2022 and extend $10,000 to each of the 2021 Epson Tour graduates, providing financial assistance to jumpstart the beginning of their new LPGA Tour journey. In addition, Epson is increasing the standard tournament purse size to $200,000.
“It’s really incredible to see the impact that Epson is making right from the start of their partnership with the LPGA. They aren’t just putting their name on the Epson Tour, but truly walking the walk and backing women’s futures,” notes Fatima Fernandez Cano, an Epson Tour graduate in 2020 and 2021, and the first representative of the Epson Tour Ambassador Program.
“I can’t thank Epson enough for believing in me. When I came to America from Spain to play college golf at Troy, these types of moments were a dream. Now it’s reality and I’m in a better position because of Epson.”
Underscoring Epson’s commitment to advancing the careers of talented female golfers, the partnership includes contribution of funds to initially lower entry fees by 10% per tournament for each player throughout the season, amounting to as much as $1,000 per individual over the course of the year. Part of this initiative is the creation of the Epson Tour DEI Partnership, as Epson and the LPGA are challenging at least four other companies to join them in elevating the competitive drive and dedication of Epson Tour members by working together to cut player-entry fees in half, from $500 to $250. Participating organizations will receive Pro-Am teams and signage at every Epson Tour tournament.
“We don’t only want to put our name on the Epson Tour; we want to find way to invest in players chasing their dream of the LPGA Tour and support them once that dream becomes a reality, through the Epson Tour Ambassador Program,” adds Kendra Jones, Vice President Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Epson America, Inc. “We hope other companies will join us as we empower women through the DEI Partnership in cooperation with the LPGA.”
The 2022 Epson Tour schedule will be announced during the week February 7, but the season is set to open in Winter Haven, Fla., with the return of the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic at the Country Club of Winter Haven from March 4-6. Epson will also assume sponsorship of the Epson Tour Championship, which concludes the season in Daytona Beach, Fla., from Oct. 6-9 at LPGA International.
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