Southern Company and the PGA TOUR have announced an agreement making Southern Company “The Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR.” In addition, as previously announced, Southern Company will become sole presenting sponsor of THE TOUR Championship beginning in 1999. One of the TOUR’s most notable events, THE TOUR Championship is the final event of each regular TOUR season and features the top 30 PGA TOUR members on the official TOUR money list.
Under the new agreement, Southern Company will prominently integrate its expanded relationship with the PGA TOUR into its marketing activities. This includes creating a new television advertising campaign featuring TOUR players that will air in PGA TOUR tournament telecasts through each season.
Additionally, Southern Company will create an annual award that recognizes a PGA TOUR player for his citizenship and goodwill to his community. This Southern Company citizenship award will annually provide a $300,000 charitable contribution to be divided evenly between the player recipient’s chosen charity, a charity designated by Southern Company and The First Tee program, a World Golf Foundation initiative that provides affordable golf access to those who otherwise might not have an opportunity to learn and play the game, placing a special emphasis on kids.
“We are excited about our enhanced partnership with the PGA TOUR,” said Southern Company President and CEO Bill Dahlberg. “In addition to the prestige of being associated with the PGA TOUR, our partnership gives us a number of sound business advantages, such as providing opportunities to further increase awareness of our company among key decision makers and strengthen relationships with customers.”
Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an international energy company with $35 billion in assets through regional utilities and operations around the world. It is the largest producer of electricity in the United States and one of the world’s largest independent power producers. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company is the parent firm of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric. Through its Southern Energy Inc. subsidiary, Southern Company supplies electricity in 10 countries on four continents. It also provides energy-related marketing, trading and technical services and Southern LINC wireless telecommunications.