The Honda Classic

The PGA TOUR and American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Tuesday announced a six-year sponsorship extension with The Honda Classic, which in 2007 moves to PGA National Resort & Spa's Champion Course under the direction of a new host organization.

The agreement extends Honda's sponsorship through 2012, coinciding with the PGA TOUR?s new six-year network television agreements. Beginning next year, the first two rounds will be televised by The Golf Channel, while the weekend coverage remains on NBC. Honda has been title sponsor of the tournament since 1982.

During Tuesday's press conference at PGA National, Barbara Nicklaus was introduced as the chairperson of the newly created Children?s Healthcare Charity, Inc., which will operate The Honda Classic beginning in 2007. Ken Kennerly will become the tournament's new Executive Director.

"We are extremely pleased to unveil the new Honda Classic," PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "Through the support of Honda and the direction of Children's Healthcare Charity and the support of Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, this championship will continue to grow in this thriving market and increase its charitable impact. We look forward to a bright future as The Honda Classic moves to PGA National's renowned Champion Course and becomes an integral part of the FedEx Cup for years to come."

The Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation will become the primary beneficiary of The Honda Classic, which in 2007 expects to generate a minimum of $1 million for charity. This Foundation provides charitable support for activities that enhance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood diseases and disorders. It supports not-for-profit programs and projects aimed at pediatric health care and health-related services with the Nicklaus Children?s Hospital at St. Mary?s Medical Center as a major focal point.

"We have enjoyed an outstanding and valuable relationship as title sponsor of the Honda Classic," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president/auto sales division of American Honda. "Extending our involvement for six more years not only demonstrates our commitment to the event and the new venue, but also to the involvement of the Nicklaus family and the opportunity to help support the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation."

"On behalf of Children?s Healthcare Charity, we couldn't be more pleased to become involved with The Honda Classic and to help grow the tournament and its charitable outreach, with a special emphasis on children in need," Barbara Nicklaus said. "We look forward to a wonderful future of working together with American Honda and the PGA TOUR."

Joining Barbara Nicklaus on the Children?s Healthcare Charity Board of Directors are: Gary Nicklaus (President); Paul C. Bremer (Secretary-Treasurer); Mary Lou Kromer, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Florida Power & Light; Stephen G. Vogelsang, shareholder, Private Wealth Services Department; Jeffrey A. Stoops, President, CEO of SBA Communications Corp.; Thomas Mayes, Jr., CFP, Regional Managing Director for Wachovia; F. Ross Johnson, retired CEO of RJR Nabisco; Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America; John Montgomery, Sr., former owner, Executive Sports International; John Hines, former GM, Muirfield Village Golf Club and The Bear's Club; and Joe Russo, Mayor of Palm Beach Gardens.

PGA National has a long and storied history of hosting important championships. The Champion Course was the site of the 25th Ryder Cup matches in 1983. Captain Jack Nicklaus led his United States team to victory over the European squad, 14 to 13 after entering Sunday?s singles matches tied with eight points apiece.

The 69th PGA Championship was contested at PGA National in 1987, with Larry Nelson winning his second Wannamaker Trophy in a playoff over Lanny Wadkins. The course has also played host to 28 Senior PGA Championships, five of which were won by the legendary Sam Snead, and five PGA Club Professional Championships.

The Champion Course, which opened in 1981, originally was designed by Tom and George Fazio. It was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990 and later completely renovated by Nicklaus Design in 2002.

"PGA National has a proud history of hosting significant golf events, and we?re pleased to add to that legacy by hosting a PGA TOUR event on an annual basis,? said Llwyd Ecclestone, chairman of Ecclestone Group Organization, which owns the resort. "We believe the Champion Course will prove to be an outstanding venue for The Honda Classic."

In addition to changing venues in 2007, The Honda Classic will move one week earlier in the schedule to lead off the newly structured four-tournament swing through Florida. It will be held the week of Feb. 26-March 4 and be followed by the Tampa Bay Championship, Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard and the World Golf Championship-CA Championship at Doral.

Since the tournament was introduced in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic, some of the game's great players have won it, including three-time champion Jack Nicklaus and fellow World Golf Hall of Famers Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Johnny Miller, Nick Price and Vijay Singh.

The 2006 Honda Classic is being held this week at the Country Club at Mirasol's Sunrise Course. Ireland's Padraig Harrington is the defending champion.