POSTED: Sunday December 28th 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LPGA, Brasil 1 team up for international golf exhibition

HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2009 is first-ever LPGA competition in Brazil

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 28, 2008 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Brasil 1 today announce that the inaugural HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2009, a LPGA-sanctioned international golf exhibition, will be played at Itanhanga Golf Club from Jan. 24-25, 2009, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The 36-hole, unofficial money event will offer a purse of $500,000, and will mark the first time the LPGA Tour will compete in Brazil.

“HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2009 provides the LPGA a wonderful opportunity to showcase our great players to fans in Brazil,” said Mike Nichols, vice president of tournament business affairs.  “Angela Park and Candy Hannemann have proudly and successfully represented Brazil on the LPGA Tour and we are eager to visit their home and bring the best of women’s golf to South America, thanks to the support of premier event producer Brasil 1 and sponsors like HSBC.”

            The two-day, 36-hole event will feature a 15-player field, including 14 LPGA Tour professionals.  Park and Hannemann have already committed to play and they will be joined by 12 of their peers from the LPGA Tour based on their rankings on the 2008 LPGA Official Money List.  Additionally, one leading amateur from Brazil will have the chance to compete.  The event will be preceded by a pro-am on Jan. 23.

 “Brasil 1 takes pride in staging and promoting first-class entertainment and sporting events and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to help bring the LPGA to Rio de Janeiro,” said Brasil 1 CEO Alan Adler.  “Backed by the support of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian Ministry of Sports, we will be able to provide players and fans with a unique, not-to-be-missed event in January.”

 “I\‘m very excited to have the best players in the world to come and compete in the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2009 at Itanhanga Golf Club in Brazil,” said 2007 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Angela Park, who is also from Brazil.  “It will be a great event and I\‘m sure the players will agree.  This will also be a great opportunity for people in Brazil to get to know more about golf and see the best female professionals compete.”

            Although it will be a debut event at Itanhanga Golf Club for women’s professional golf, the facility has already hosted a world-class event in the 2000 Brazil Rio de Janeiro 500 Years Open on the PGA European Tour.

About the Ladies Professional Golf Association

The LPGA features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP).  Today’s LPGA Tour features the most talented global group of professional athletes who, in 2009, will compete in a minimum of 31 official money events in 10 countries with total prize money of more than $55 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, 1,200 certified LPGA T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf.  The LPGA’s Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world.  Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to http://www.LPGA.com.

About Brasil 1

Brasil 1 is a full-service sports and entertainment marketing agency that was formed in 2003 with one of its first projects being an entry in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race, the former Whitbread.  Brasil 1 continues to grow and now handles management of events such as The Police Tour in Brasil, Skateboarding Megaramp Challenge and South American Match Race Competitions.  In January 2009, Brasil 1 will be organizing an Elton John & Band Tour, followed by HSBC LPGA BRASIL CUP 2009 among other special events.  More information on Brasil 1 is available online at http://www.brasil1.com.br.

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Media contacts:

Mike Scanlan, LPGA: 386-274-6275, mike.scanlan@lpga.com

Sergio Bocage, Brasil 1: (5521) 2274 2112, sbocage@uol.com.br

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Keywords · LPGA · golf · Brazil

Name: Lisa Shelly
Organization: LPGA
Email:
Phone: +1.386-274-6200
URL: http://www.lpga.com

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