The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

The Greenbrier Classic

July 4, 2012

Tourney contract extended until 2021

By Jim Workman Assistant Managing Editor

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — In just its third year, The Greenbrier Classic has received a much stronger commitment from the PGA.

An agreement on an extension for the tournament through 2021 has been reached.

On Tuesday, PGA Vice President and Chief of Operations Andy Pazder and Jim Justice, The Greenbrier chairman and CEO, made the joint announcement in an afternoon press conference.

“It’s not only a great day for The Greenbrier Classic, but it’s a great day for the PGA TOUR,” Pazder, an Erie, Pa., native and West Virginia University graduate, said.

The Greenbrier Classic was honored as the “Best in Class” by the PGA in 2011.

Pazder said that the extension with The Greenbrier Classic goes “further into the future than with any other sponsor or tournament.”

It becomes the longest tournament commitment on the PGA TOUR and extends the length of the tour’s TV broadcast agreements with CBS, NBC and the Golf Channel.

“The first three years of our contract have been a thrilling ride,” said Justice. “The Tour is a fantastic partner, and we’re so proud and excited to announce that The Greenbrier Classic will remain a bright light on the landscape of the PGA TOUR and continue to give fans heart pounding tournament action for many years to come.”

Pazder predicted that when the news of the extended commitment reached PGA pros that the players “will be giving a lot of high fives in the locker room.”

“They’ve succeeded in every possible way here (at The Greenbrier Classic),” Pazder added. “They’ve grown at an incredibly rapid pace. They’ve turned this into something that the PGA TOUR is extremely proud of.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Jim.”

The PGA granted the West Virginia resort an event in 2009, an initial six-year agreement and commitment to bring the world’s greatest golfers to the state.

With the 2010 and 2011 tournaments behind him, Justice approached the PGA asking for more events.

“Jim Justice has shown a genuine passion and commitment to not only host a PGA TOUR event, but to build one into a premier stop on the PGA TOUR,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, through a press release. “We’re obviously thrilled that Jim had a desire to move forward and extend beyond his original commitment after just three years.”

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The Greenbrier Classic
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