Future of Manulife LPGA Classic in question; Manulife out as title sponsor after 2017 event
Posted Feb 3, 2017 03:45:47 PM.
Last Updated Feb 3, 2017 04:43:18 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s an extremely successful tournament, and a boon to our Region’s economy, but we could see the last of it this year.
Manulife says 2017 will be their final year as title sponsor, meaning the tournament’s owner has some work to do to find the next representative of the event.
“Manulife is proud to have brought this world-class professional sporting event to the Waterloo Region for the past six years,” said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO Manulife Canada.
“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.”
But, Sports Properties International says they’re committed to keeping it alive.
“We’re hoping that we can find someone else in the community, or outside the community that has some sort of business holdings in the community, that will step up and say, yes, we want to continue this, and we will continue the journey as long as we can,” said Hugh Morrow, President of SPI.
2016 was a banner year for the tournament, with more than 68,000 fans in attendance over the four-day event.
This year’s purse has been bumped up to $1.7 Million U-S; the 2017 edition will held from June 7th to the 11th at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge.
