PGA TOUR's Mississippi Event Honored for Best Title Sponsor Integration

The Viking Classic (Madison, MS) was honored by the PGA TOUR at the TOUR's Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings this week. The Viking Classic earned the award for “Best Title Sponsor Integration” in 2008, given to the tournament that best melds the title sponsor's product with that of the PGA TOUR.

The theme at the 2008 Viking Classic was “Professional Cooking meets Professional Golf.” The tournament had celebrity chef demonstrations throughout the week, awarded a Viking kitchen valued at $50,000, with proceeds going directly to the tournament's charity, Friends of Children's Hospital. The Viking Classic also tied the two products of cooking and golf throughout their advertising thematic.

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to acknowledge and congratulate the outstanding job and special recognition the Viking Classic has received for its efforts,” said Rick George, PGA TOUR executive vice-president and chief of operations. “The tournament committee should be extremely proud for being recognized as the best among their peers on the TOUR.”

The 2008 Viking Classic, captured by Will MacKenzie, was held Sept. 18 – 21 at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, MS. Since becoming an official PGA TOUR event in 1994, champions have included Fred Funk (1998 and 2004), Luke Donald (2002) and Chad Campbell (2007).

“On behalf of the Tournament Staff, Century Club Charities, Sponsors, Volunteers and Fans, we are very proud to have a Mississippi based company like Viking Range Corporation as our title sponsor,” said Randy Watkins, Tournament Director. “This award is an indication of their dedication and commitment to making the Viking Classic the pride of all of Mississippi and the PGA TOUR.”