In a statement last Friday, international financial services group
Manulife announced that this year would be its final run as title sponsor for one of the most prestigious golfing events in the world.
The company had served as the title sponsor for the Manulife LPGA Classic for six years. This year’s tournament will run from June 7 to 11, at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ontario.
“Manulife is proud to have brought this world-class professional sporting event to the Waterloo Region for the past six years,” Manulife president and CEO Marianne Harrison said in a statement. “The tournament has been a great opportunity for us and one that lasted longer than we originally expected with our two extensions in 2014 and then again in 2016. The community has been very supportive and we will ensure fans and volunteers have the same great experience at the 2017 tournament.”
“We thank Manulife for being such a wonderful title sponsor and partner to the LPGA for the past six years,” commented LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “The Waterloo Region is full of tremendous golf fans and the support shown by the community has helped to make this a very successful event both on and off the golf course. We look forward to another great Manulife LPGA Classic this June and will continue to work to bring an LPGA tournament back to this area in the future.”
The tournament will see 150 professional golfers from all around the globe, all vying for the US$1.7 million prize. Last year’s tournament attracted over 68,000 fans and drew the support of about 700 volunteers who made the event possible.
“Sports Properties International (SPI) is thankful for the support and partnership with Manulife over the past six years. Together we have created one of the premier LPGA events on Tour,” detailed Sports Properties International CEO Hugh Morrow. “The Manulife LPGA Classic has raised over $1.6 million for St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation and injected over $50 million in economic impact to the Waterloo Region. The support we’ve had from the community of Waterloo Region and Southern Ontario has been tremendous and we are committed to finding a new title sponsor to continue this event.”
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