The Evian Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have jointly announced the Acer Women’s World Cup of Golf at Pezula, the first-ever truly worldwide competition co-sanctioned by both tours. The $1 million Acer Women’s World Cup of Golf at Pezula, set to take place February 2005, will be held at Pezula Championship Golf Course in Knysna, South Africa.
“With The Solheim Cup continuing to escalate to even greater heights, we are delighted to extend our relationship with the LPGA to develop the first co-sanctioned Women’s World Cup of Golf,” said Ian Randell, chief executive of the Ladies European Tour. “This event is sure to attract worldwide interest and offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the talents of the international memberships that both ourselves and the LPGA enjoy. Pezula is a breath-taking resort which will offer the world’s best players a fantastic experience and exceptional challenge. We are extremely grateful to both Pezula and Acer for their commitment to the development of women’s golf.”
“Fresh off one of the most successful Solheim Cups in history, with sold-out crowds in Sweden, it is obvious the appetite for women’s professional golf is bigger than ever,” added Ty M. Votaw, LPGA commissioner. “Just a quick glance at the LPGA ADT Official Money List and the LET Order of Merit demonstrates how many talented golfers from around the globe are playing at the highest level. We are so excited to join with the LET, Acer and Pezula for this one-of-a-kind prestigious event.”
Acer, a leading information technology company, and Pezula, an environmentally sensitive property development, will sponsor and host the Acer Women’s World Cup of Golf at Pezula for three years, beginning in 2005. The event will include a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 24 teams of two players of the same nationality. The teams will be selected through an official ranking system to be developed by the LET and LPGA, provided that in any event there will be a team from South Africa.
The Acer Women’s World Cup of Golf at Pezula will be a three-day, 54-hole competition with a different format on each day: 18 holes of foursomes; 18 holes of four-ball; and 18 holes of stroke-play. The winner will be determined by combining each team’s scores from all three days.
“Both Acer and Pezula are leaders in our respective industries and believe in the future of South Africa and its people,” said David Drummond, managing director at Acer. “This event gives us the opportunity to create employment opportunities, while showcasing our products and services to grow our brand awareness in the global golfing community. The synergy between Acer and Pezula was spurred by both companies’ desire to showcase South Africa as the worlds greatest golfing destination, and to grow the south and African economies via this investment. A percentage of the events proceeds will go to the Acer Girls Golf Programme, an initiative that is geared to empowering women worldwide”.
“Not enough is being done for women’s golf in South Africa, and we are doing our bit to change this,” said Keith Stewart, chairman of Pezula. “I have been very fortunate to play on many of the world’s most scenic courses, and I can honestly say that none match Pezula. The area is also hosting the President’s Cup, scheduled for November this year. To my mind, our women’s event will ensure intense golf focus on South Africa for another four years, at least.”
Acer ranks among the world’s top-10 branded PC vendors, designing and marketing easy, dependable IT solutions that empower people to reach their goals and enhance their lives. Acer’s product offering includes desktop and mobile PCs, servers and storage, displays, peripherals, and e-business solutions for business, government, education and home users. Established in 1976, the pan Acer Group employs 39,000 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Estimated revenues reached $12.9 billion in 2002. For more information, visit http://www.acer.com.
The Pezula Estate, South Africa’s most exclusive resort, is situated near the town of Knysna and the Garden Route in South Africa, bordering the Sinclair nature reserve and the Noetzie River. The estate has an 18-hole championship golf course as well as a restaurant, bar, pro shot, five-star hotel and equestrian center. Visit http://www.pezula.com for more information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
MARTIN PARK, LET COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ON +44 (0) 7971 986855, OR
IAN RANDELL, LET CHIEF EXECUTIVE ON +44 (0) 1625 611444
