Rolex Receives the LPGA Commissioner’s Award
LPGA celebrates 30-year partnership with the leader in the Swiss watchmaking industry
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 25, 2010 – The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) has announced that long-time partner Rolex has received the prestigious Commissioner’s Award. LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan presented the award last night in front of a packed crowd of players, dignitaries, celebrities, partners and officials attending the Evian Masters Gala at the Evian Royal Resort.
The Commissioner's Award, introduced in 1991 by the LPGA, honors a person or organization who has contributed uniquely to the LPGA and its members, who has furthered the cause of women's golf, and whose character and standards are of the highest order. Previous award recipients have included Karsten and Louise Solheim; Jamie Farr; the LPGA Founders; and most recently Herb Lotman and Frank Quinn.
“Rolex’s unwavering commitment to the LPGA and the sport of golf defines the term ‘partnership’,” said Commissioner Whan. “Their unparalleled reputation for quality and know-how touches everything with which they are associated, and we’re privileged that they have provided this association with support for three decades. We will never take this partnership for granted, and indeed, this award recognizes not only their past support but primarily signals our commitment to grow this partnership in the years and decades ahead.”
Rolex, the “Official Timepiece of the LPGA,” has partnered with the association for the last 30 years. Rolex, which is the pre-eminent symbol of performance and prestige, honors the best of the best each year on the LPGA through the Rolex Player of the Year Award, the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award, the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award and the Rolex First-Time Winner award. Rolex also is the platinum sponsor for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) National Championship and supporter of the LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame receptions.
“To be recognized as the newest recipient of the LPGA Commissioner’s Awards is a high honor for Rolex,” said Jean-Noel Bioul, Rolex SA. “We have a great respect for the LPGA and its accomplishments both on and off the golf course. Our long partnership with the LPGA continues to be a source of pride and an important part of our global sponsorship growth.”
Since 2006, Rolex also has titled the Rolex Rankings, the first-ever comprehensive world rankings system for women’s golf. The Rolex Rankings are sanctioned by the five major women’s professional golf Tours – LPGA, Ladies European Tour (LET), Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan (JLPGA), Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPGA), as well a the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU). The Rankings have taken on even more importance this year as the exciting battle for No. 1 between a handful of LPGA players has provided one of the primary storylines of the 2010 LPGA Tour season.
Looking ahead, Rolex, who partnered with the LPGA at the 2009 Solheim Cup, will also be a Global Partner and Official TimeKeeper at the 2011 and 2013 Solheim Cups.
Topics: Press Release, Rolex
