Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, Jan. 5, 2012– The Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the PGA TOUR’s traditional season-opening event, starts today at the Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort. The winners-only tournament, featuring champions from the previous PGA TOUR season, includes a field of the world’s best golfers looking to make a strong start to their season.
Hyundai’s title sponsorship continues its “Big Voices in Big Places” philosophy and sports marketing sponsorships, positioning the Hyundai brand in the highest profile venues including advertising during the NFL’s Super Bowl, a global sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup™ and an expansive, multi-pronged college football marketing program
“The Hyundai Tournament of Champions aligns the Hyundai brand with world-class athletes who mirror Hyundai’s own competitive drive and the passionate fans who follow the game of golf,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “This sponsorship ensures that every champion at the tournament will arrive in luxury, while exposing fans to Hyundai’s interpretation of luxury and its ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities’ philosophy.”
During the tournament week, the PGA TOUR players will receive Hyundai’s luxury flagship sedan Equus for use around Maui. Hyundai vehicles, including Equus, Genesis sedan and the all-new Azera, will also be featured throughout the Plantation course and Kapalua resort, demonstrating Hyundai’s ability to develop segment-leading sedans
The Hyundai Tournament of Champions has a special commitment to Hawaii and Maui communities, and this year numerous local charities will benefit from donations by Hyundai and the tournament organizers. Hope on Wheels, Hyundai’s non-profit organization committed to the fight against pediatric cancer, and Oahu-area Hyundai Dealers will grant the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children of Honolulu a Hyundai Scholar Grant in the amount of $50,000 for pediatric cancer research. In addition to the grant, Hope on Wheels will provide an infrastructure grant to renovate the hospital’s children’s playroom and to open a new section called the Hyundai Hot Spot. In addition to the Hope on Wheels donation, six local charities will be the primary beneficiaries of the tournament’s proceeds. Since the tournament came to Kapalua Resort in 1999, the tournament’s host organizations have donated nearly $3.8 million to those in need.
The tournament dates begin with the Pro-am on Thursday, January 5, continuing with four rounds of professional competition Friday, January 6, through Monday, January 9. The Golf Channel will broadcast all four days of the tournament with live coverage Friday through Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern, and final round coverage on Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
Follow the tournament on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HyundaiTOC and on Twitter @HyundaiTOC1 to get updates and a behind-the-scenes look at the tournament.
ABOUT HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Hyundai Tournament of Champions is the season-opening event of the PGA TOUR and held at the legendary Plantation Course, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore in Kapalua Resort, Maui, Hawaii. The tournament’s unique format allows only champions from the 2011 PGA TOUR season to qualify for this one-of-a-kind winners-only event. During their stay, tournament guests enjoy world-class accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Since 1999, the host organizations of the event have distributed nearly $3.8 million to the Maui community.
