LPGA: Subaru named official car of LPGA

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 19, 2000 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has entered into a marketing partnership with Subaru of America Inc., according to an announcement made today by LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw during the Subaru Memorial of Naples at The Club at The Strand. Integral to the Subaru of America-LPGA partnership is the designation of the Subaru line of quality all-wheel drive vehicles as the official car of the LPGA. Subaru vehicles will be provided for use by LPGA staff and extend to programs with designated LPGA Tour events and selected LPGA Tour players. “Subaru is a dynamic company that places a strong emphasis on supporting activities and programs that are important to women,” said Votaw. “We are very pleased to have them on our team.” Subaru is the exclusive automobile sponsor of the State Farm LPGA Series, featuring 10 LPGA events on ESPN and ESPN2, the 2000 Solheim Cup on NBC and the 2000 PageNet Championship on ABC. Additionally, Subaru cars will serve as the official vehicles of the 2000 Golf For Women Magazine LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) Division Championship, as well as the 2000 PageNet Championship. Helping to enhance its role as title sponsor of the Subaru Memorial of Naples, Subaru is also a proud sponsor of LPGA Tour golfers Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon. “Subaru sponsors a variety of active lifestyle events that match our owners who identify with the core attributes of our brand — fun, freedom, adventure, confidence and control,” said Bill Cyphers, vice president of marketing, Subaru of America Inc. “Entering into a strategic partnership with the LPGA is a natural fit for Subaru as a component of our women’s active lifestyle programs, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.” Subaru of America Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 franchised dealers across the United States. All Legacy and Outback models sold in the United States are produced at the company’s American manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., near Lafayette, Ind. The oldest, longest-running women’s sports association in the world, the LPGA is a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA, whose membership includes both touring and teaching golf professionals, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2000. Featuring the world’s best women golfers, players on the LPGA Tour in 2000 will compete for more money per tournament than ever before. Through its tournaments, the LPGA has generated more than $110 million for charities since 1981. The LPGA is also committed to advancing women, youth and the sport of golf through expanding the programs of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) Division, as well as increasing contributions of the organization and its tournaments to charity. For further information contact: Leslie King, LPGA,+1 904-274-6270 Robert Moran, Ruder Finn, Inc., +1 212-593-6444