Ipswich, United Kingdom - July 24, 2006 - Golf car manufacturer E-Z-GO, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), is sponsoring this year's Leeds Cup, the oldest trophy in professional golf and one of the most prestigious tournaments in the PGA calendar.
After an absence of 21 years, the 2006 event returns to Leeds Golf Club, the course where the original competition was first played in 1902. Fulfilling a long cherished desire to host the event again, the Club have secured E-Z-GO as main sponsor, supported by their local golf car distributor, Leeds Golf Car Company, for the 54-hole tournament and pro-am which takes place from 25th – 28th September.
With a prize fund of at least £20,000 and a magnificent silver cup, which is still presented by the Mayor of Leeds at stake, it is one of the four 'Majors' on the PGA Northern Region circuit and will feature a strong field of competitors. 2006 Order of Merit players will be playing to secure their exempt status for 2007 and to gain entry into The BMW Championship at Wentworth and the PGA Europro Tour.
144 professionals will compete in the 54-hole tournament, which will feature one round each day over three days with the field being cut to the leading 50 players for the final round on the third day. A pre-tournament Pro-Am will take place the day before the event with teams of three amateurs joining a leading professional in an 18-hole competition.
Leeds president Keith Smith commented, "It was an historic day for the members of Leeds Golf Club, when we were notified that the competition was to come home. To have a main sponsor such as E-Z-GO come on board and support us is superb and together with additional sponsorship from their local dealer Leeds Golf Car Company, who will be providing extra buggies, we are assured of successful event. Even better is the fact that E-Z-GO, through their sister company, Ransomes Jacobsen, will be providing us with additional mowers to help with the pre-tournament preparation. It really is tremendous support and we are very grateful to all our sponsors."
Jim Croxton, secretary of the PGA North Region added, "I am delighted that Leeds Golf Club has agreed to host this historic tournament and am most grateful to the president and committee for their commitment and enthusiasm. The support from E-Z-GO and Ransomes Jacobsen together with their local dealer is also most appreciated and it augers well for a very successful event."
E-Z-GO, a Textron Company, is based in Augusta, Georgia, and manufactures the No. 1 selling golf car in the world. Additionally, E-Z-GO is a leading provider of industrial, turf and utility vehicles for a variety of applications and industries.
Ransomes Jacobsen is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.