The newly named Safeway International will be held March 18-21, 2004. The tournament has had a succession of different titles having previously been called the Safeway/PING Championship in 2003 and the PING/Banner Health Championship in 2002.
The announcement means that Safeway will be title sponsor for two LPGA events in 2004 - the Safeway International in Phoenix and the Safeway
Classic in Portland.
Tom Maletis, president of Tournament Golf Foundation, Inc. (TGFI), the organiser and manager of both Safeway events, stated: "The purse for the Safeway International will increase from $1million to $1.2m. Also, the event will be moved to Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club near Mesa. This venue will provide a 36-hole facility for expanded pro-am events along with ample stadium-style seating for fans."
"I can think of no better sponsor to take the reins of the Phoenix event than Safeway,” added Ty Votaw, LPGA Commissioner.
"They have been a dedicated supporter of the LPGA since 1989. It is truly fitting that Safeway, with nearly 100 years of tradition and success, will now hold title sponsorship of two of the longest-running events on the LPGA schedule."
Food retailer Safeway has signed a title sponsorship deal with the LPGA for the Phoenix golf tournament on the women's tour.
