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 Tournament officials announced that the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf has extended its contract with the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa through 2012.
First played in 1978, the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is credited with launching the Champions Tour for players over age 50 in 1980. In 2010, Liberty Mutual will celebrate its 31st consecutive year as the event's title sponsor. This year's tournament will be held April 19-25 and will feature a $2.7 million purse.
Since the tournament's arrival in Savannah in 2003, the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf has had a significant economic impact on the community and has generated over $1 million for local charities.
"We are delighted the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa will continue to be home to the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf through 2012," said Paul Alexander, Liberty Mutual Group senior vice president, communications. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Westin and entire Savannah community, who are wonderful hosts and true fans of the tournament and legendary golfers who play here."
"I am delighted that we have been successful in securing an extension of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf through 2012," said Mark Spadoni, general manager of the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort Golf & Spa. "This event has been a great opportunity for the city and the Westin to showcase to the world how special Savannah is. It continues to be one of the favorite stops for the players in large part because of our community's southern hospitality. I am also grateful that Liberty Mutual has given their vote of confidence in Savannah continuing to be an attractive destination to entertain their best customers. We are committed to providing an incredible venue for the community, players, and Liberty Mutual in the years to come."
Located across the river from downtown Savannah on Hutchinson Island, the Champions Tour's annual stop in coastal Georgia has been a highlight for both Champions Tour players and golf fans alike. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa's hotel recently underwent a $10 million renovation and features newly remodeled guest rooms, banquet rooms and public spaces. The resort's Club at Savannah Harbor course opened in 1999 and was designed by renowned golf course architects Robert Cupp and Sam Snead.
"We are thrilled to learn of the agreement extension with the TOUR and the Westin," said Rick Winger, president and CEO of Savannah Economic Development Authority. "This reaffirms that Savannah is a great home for the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf."
"Having the Westin facility locked into place makes a huge impact on assuring the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf event will continue to be very successful and economically beneficial to the Savannah and Coastal Georgia area for years to come," said Bill Hubbard, Savannah Chamber President and CEO. "Because of this event, an international audience gets to see Savannah on CBS for six hours over two days, making a fantastic visual impression on business leaders and potential visitors, and we thank Liberty Mutual, Westin, the PGA TOUR and the other 100-plus local sponsors for their continued support of this event and the community of Savannah."
"Liberty Mutual is the longest running title sponsor on both the Champions Tour and PGA TOUR," said Champions Tour President Mike Stevens. "To have them remain at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa for another two years is an added bonus for our players and this great partnership that benefits so many worthwhile charities in the Savannah area."
The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf's unique format features a total of three team competitions during the week, starting with the Demaret Division on Monday and Tuesday followed by the Raphael Division, a 36-hole, two-man better-ball competition for ages 50+, on Friday and Saturday. Official competition begins with the Legends Division, a 54-hole team competition on Friday, April 23. Tom Lehmanand World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernhard Langerdefeated Jeff Slumanand Craig Stadleron the second playoff hole to become the 2009 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf champions.
For more information about the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf or to purchase tickets, please visit www.LMLOG.com or contact the tournament office at 912-234-5700.
The Club at Savannah Harbor offers memberships. Please contact Pro Shop at 912-201-2240 for more information.
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