Diamond Resorts, a global leader in the hospitality, vacation ownership and entertainment industries, announced today it has partnered with Insurance Office of America to name the full-service insurance agency the “Official Sponsor of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions” and “Official Insurance Broker of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.”
New for 2019, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by Insurance Office of America will be the LPGA Tour’s season opener and bring one of the LPGA’s strongest fields to Central Florida to compete Jan. 17-20, 2019 at Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
“We’re pleased to partner with Diamond Resorts and to sponsor the LPGA Tour’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. This is our first LPGA event after years of sponsorship of the Symetra Tour in three different cities,” said IOA Chairman and co-founder John Ritenour. “Being part of an event where there is strong competition, camaraderie, fun, and support for the game aligns with IOA perfectly. We feel it’s important to invest in these promising young professional women players, and we look forward to seeing their growth and the growth of the event in the future.”
Only LPGA winners from the 2017 and 2018 seasons qualify to play in the tournament alongside a roster of invited sports and entertainment celebrities, including MVPs, Cy Young Awards winners, All-Stars and television actors. The LPGA champions will play 72 holes of stroke play with no cut and compete for $1.2 million in official prize money, while the celebrities compete utilizing a Modified Stableford format for their own $500,000 purse.
To date, 34 LPGA professionals have qualified to play in the inaugural event, including Brittany Lincicome, Brooke Henderson, In-Kyung Kim, Michelle Wie, Shanshan Feng, Inbee Park and Sung Hyun Park. For the full list of qualified LPGA players, visit DiamondLPGA.com/players. Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Brian Urlacher, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, John Smoltz and Marcus Allen; seven-time Cy Young Award Winner Roger Clemens; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester; Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander; former NASCAR champion Michael Waltrip; NHL star Jeremy Roenick; and actors Alfonso Ribeiro and Jack Wagner will be among the celebrities competing.
All four days of the unique event will be nationally televised live, with Thursday and Friday on Golf Channel, and Saturday and Sunday on NBC, with a one-hour Golf Channel lead-in. Spectator tickets will be available for purchase later this month.
“Insurance Office of America is an active supporter of women’s golf and we are excited to be partnering with them to take this incredible event to new levels,” said Mike Flaskey, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Resorts. “The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by Insurance Office of America has so many unique elements – an exclusive field of some of the LPGA’s strongest players, world-class celebrities and unparalleled entertainment – all in Orlando’s backyard. It will be an event no one will want to miss.”
About Insurance Office of America
Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 and one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the United States. IOA is ranked 13th on Insurance Journal’s 2018 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report and 23rd on Business Insurance’s 2018 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list. Headquartered in Longwood, Florida, part of the greater Orlando community, IOA has more than 1,000 associates located in over 50 offices in the U.S. and London. For more information, visit www.ioausa.com.
About Diamond Resorts
Diamond Resorts offers destinations, events and experiences to help members make a habit of breaking from the routine. From unforgettable getaways to exclusive concert series to VIP receptions and dinners, members turn to Diamond to recharge, reconnect and remind each other what matters most. Our focus on quality resorts, customer service and flexibility means members can return to a favorite resort, book a cruise to explore new countries or attend a once-in-a-lifetime event with the same level of confidence and anticipation. With access to a world of entertainment and activities, a Diamond membership ensures that people are always looking forward to vacation.
To learn more about Diamond Resorts, visit DiamondResorts.com. To learn more about the tournament visit DiamondLPGA.com.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.
The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives, such as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf.
Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com.
