Greenbrier and PGA Tour sign an extension deal till 2021
The PGA Tour officials have confirmed a six-year extension deal with Greenbrier that will allow the Greenbrier Classic to run through till the year 2021.
It will also mark the longest commitment by a company for a tournament in the history of the PGA Tour.
The announcement was made by Andy Pazder, the tour's Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations, and Jim Justice, Chairman and owner of The Greenbrier on July 3, 2012.
"This extension takes this tournament through 2021, which is significant for many reasons," Pazder said. "It now puts this tournament farther into the future than any sponsorship arrangement the PGA Tour has".
According to the officials, the decision was made after the two successful years of the event that saw many big names being added to the field each year.
In 2009, Justice purchased the resort with an aim of bringing a PGA Tour event in the area and succeeded in doing so in the very next year.
Since then, it has been a great success. During the inaugural edition, a total of 47,100 people visited the course on the final day to watch their favourite players contend against each other.
In addition to that, a figure of 59,000 people was recorded during the concert of Black Eyed Peas, held at the same venue.
Jim Justice, Chairman and owner of The Greenbrier, looked happy with the extension contract and said that it will provide an opportunity to the organizers of the event to offer a great competition for the local golf fans in the area.
"The first three years of our contract with the PGA Tour have been a thrilling ride," Justice said. "The Tour is a fantastic partner and we're so proud and excited to announce that The Greenbrier Classic will remain a bright light on the landscape of the
PGA Tour and continue to give our fans heart-pounding tournament action for years to come".
The 14-time title winner Tiger Woods, four-time major winner Phil Mickelson and the reigning US Open champion Webb Simpson are currently scheduled to tee off in the third edition of the event on Thursday, July 5, 2012.
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