The LPGA Tour and Epson America, a signage technology company, have entered a five-year agreement with Epson serving as title sponsor and providing naming rights to the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, according to a company press release.

The newly named Epson Tour enters its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is known as the "Road to the LPGA." The Epson Tour sponsorship extends through 2026. The program will award LPGA Tour membership to the top 10 players on the Race for the Card money list at the end of each season. Epson America's parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation, also became an official partner of the LPGA Tour and the Epson Tour with the agreement.

"We are delighted to welcome Epson to the LPGA Tour family. This ground-breaking partnership will provide expanded opportunities for the future stars of the game from around the globe to test their talent and take one step closer to realizing their dreams," Mollie Marcoux Samaan, LPGA Tour commissioner, said in the release. "We are grateful that Epson shares our commitment to supporting young female athletes as they grow and develop and to playing an active role in the growth and equity in women's sports. The 'Road to the LPGA' has never been better."

The yearly Epson Tour Ambassador Program will begin in 2022 and provide $10,000 to each of the 2021 Epson Tour graduates, providing financial assistance to help begin their LPGA Tour careers. In addition, Epson is increasing the standard tournament purse size to $200,000.

"It's really incredible to see the impact that Epson is making right from the start of their partnership with the LPGA. They aren't just putting their name on the Epson Tour, but truly walking the walk and backing women's futures," Fatima Fernandez Cano, an Epson Tour graduate in 2020 and 2021, and the first representative of the Epson Tour Ambassador Program, said in the release. "I can't thank Epson enough for believing in me. When I came to America from Spain to play college golf at Troy, these types of moments were a dream. Now it's reality and I'm in a better position because of Epson."

The partnership includes funds to initially lower entry fees by 10% per tournament for each player throughout the season. Part of this initiative is the creation of the Epson Tour DEI Partnership, as Epson and the LPGA are challenging at least four other companies to join them to cut player-entry fees in half, from $500 to $250. Participating organizations will receive Pro-Am teams and signage at every Epson Tour tournament.

During the 2021 LPGA Tour season, nine former graduates or Epson Tour alumni claimed 12 LPGA Tour wins.

"A global brand like Epson recognizes what we are building and continue to raise the Tour's profile," Mike Nichols, chief business officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours, said in the release. "This allows us to attract top players from around the world. We are especially appreciative of the immediate impact Epson will make, contributing to purses, player-entry fees, and supporting past and future Epson Tour graduates."

Copyright © 2022 Networld Media. All rights reserved., source Industry News