Tournament near Opelika, Alabama will be held the same week as the British Open
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (August 11, 2014) – A new PGA TOUR tournament sponsored by Barbasol, the No. 1 shaving cream brand in the U.S., will debut in 2015 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National near Opelika, Ala. A four-year agreement establishing the Barbasol Championship was announced today at the Alabama State Capitol by Governor Robert Bentley and representatives from the PGA TOUR and the Robert Trent Jones Trail Foundation, which will serve as the tournament host organization.
The Barbasol Championship will be held at the Grand National – Lake Course July 13-19, 2015, the same week as the British Open.
“We are excited to announce the creation of the Barbasol Championship and to present an outstanding new playing opportunity for our members beginning next season,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Barbasol has been a leader in the industry for more than 90 years and we are delighted to forge this new relationship with such an iconic brand. We are equally pleased to partner with the Robert Trent Jones Trail Foundation and to bring this tournament to the renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Grand National’s exceptional Lake Course.”
The Barbasol Championship will become part of the FedExCup competition, awarding 300 points to the winner.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the PGA TOUR and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail,” said Tom Murray, President and CEO of Perio Inc., the parent company of Barbasol. “As we approach Barbasol’s 100th year, bringing together two of America’s most respected, iconic brands is further proof of our long-term commitment to expanding our sports partnerships.”
Grand National is one of 11 facilities of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail that now includes 26 golf courses throughout Alabama.
“Alabamians pride themselves on the beauty, hospitality and charm of our state, and we are excited to showcase that to the world with the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship in the Auburn-Opelika area,” Governor Bentley said. “This event will bring tens of thousands of people, from all over the world, to see the beauty that Alabama and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has to offer. This is a great announcement for our state, and we look forward to welcoming the Barbasol Championship in 2015.”
The Trail opened in 1992 with eight facilities, the realization of a grand plan by Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, to diversify the assets of the state’s pension fund and help the state’s economy. Bronner selected Robert Trent Jones Sr., the famed golf course architect, and his company to design the series of courses. Grand National, which has two championship courses – the Lake and the Links – plus a short course, was among the original eight facilities. A golfing community and Marriott Hotel are adjacent to the courses at Grand National.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Foundation, located in Birmingham, Ala., was established in 1998 as a non-profit organization with the purpose of sponsoring professional golf tournaments and related activities to benefit charitable programs and initiatives. LPGA tournaments currently are held at two other Golf Trail facilities. Various events for amateurs are also held along the Golf Trail.
About Barbasol
Barbasol, America’s #1 Men’s Shaving Cream brand was introduced as the first “brushless” tube of shaving cream in 1919. Currently offered in 7 varieties, Original, Soothing Aloe, Pacific Rush, Sensitive Skin, Skin Conditioner, Arctic Chill and Mountain Blast, Barbasol continues to be made in America and is available at major retailers nationwide. Barbasol is owned by Dublin, Ohio based Perio Inc. For more information about Barbasol, please visit Barbasol.com.
About Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Foundation
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Foundation is a non-profit corporation located in Birmingham, Alabama that benefits philanthropy, voluntarism and grant-making foundations, focusing specifically on programs. Its mission is to sponsor professional golf tournaments and related events to be held at any one or more of the golf courses proceeds shall be donated to charities.
About RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National
Grand National, by all reports, was the single greatest site for a golf complex Robert Trent Jones, Sr. had ever seen. Built on 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee, 32 of the 54 holes drape along its filigreed shores. Both the Links course and the Lake course were in the top 10 of Golf Digest’s list of “America’s Top 50 Affordable Courses” and all three courses at Grand National are listed among the nation’s 40 Super Value courses by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play”.
National Village, a golfing community on the Trail, is adjacent to these courses and the Marriott Hotel.
About Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Funded by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail was built to help expand tourism, recruit industry and attract retirees, thus strengthening the state’s economy while adding to the quality of life for all Alabamians. The RTJ Golf Trail opened in 1992 and celebrated its 10 millionth round on Oct. 23, 2013. From Mobile Bay to the Tennessee River, the RTJ Golf Trail has 26 courses on 11 sites across Alabama. In 2012, the economic impact of both the LPGA events in Mobile and Prattville exceeded $30 million.
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Web.com Tour, NEC Series-PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR China.
The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in the communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 1 billion households in 225 countries and territories in 32 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2013, tournaments across all Tours generated more than $134 million for local and national charitable organizations and in early 2014 the TOUR’s all-time charitable contributions surpassed $2 billion.
The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Contact:
Chris Smith Dean Bring
PGA TOUR Perio, Inc.
904-273-3379 614-339-1112