Bank of Hope, the largest Korean-American bank in the United States, announced its partnership with the LPGA as the title sponsor for the newly renamed Bank of Hope Founders Cup. Teaming up with LPGA, Bank of Hope has agreed to a three-year deal as title sponsor of the Phoenix event. The tournament will feature a full field of LPGA players who will compete for a $1.5 million purse and will be broadcast in 151 nations across the globe. This year’s tournament will be held March 14-19, 2017 at Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
“I couldn’t be more excited to call this tournament the Bank of Hope Founders Cup,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “The Founders Cup was developed to remember and reinforce the philosophy of making the game better for the next generation of female golfers.”
The LPGA Founders Cup was created in 2011in Phoenix to honor the 13 women who started the LPGA in 1950.
“Inspired by the purpose that LPGA Founders had for women’s golf, we felt the need to contribute more to our community,” said President and CEO of Bank of Hope Kevin S. Kim. “We are proud to be the only Korean-American company sponsoring a tournament on the LPGA Tour.”
This year, Sei Young Kim earned her 4th title on the LPGA Tour and finished 27-under par winning the 2016 Founders Cup Championship Title.
The LPGA also announces the Go Green Go Often ticket promotion. For $50 individuals can purchase one single day pass that will allow access to each of the professional golf tournaments in the Valley – Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Waste Management Phoenix Open and Bank of Hope Founders Cup. Limited tickets will be sold. For more information on purchasing tickets, please visit their website at go.lpga.com/phxtickets.
