Web firm signs umbrella sponsorship for Price Cutter golf tourney

While local sponsor Price Cutter Supermarkets this month extended its title sponsorship of the Price Cutter Charity Championship, the national golf tournament’s nine-year umbrella sponsor is no longer in the mix.

PGA Tour officials today announced Web.com signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement, effective immediately. Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Insurance had sponsored the tour, with stops in Springfield for 22 years, since 2003.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Web.com Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WWWW) provides Internet services and online marketing solutions for small- to mid-size businesses. According to a news release, the Web.com Tour launches this week with the United Leasing Championship at Victoria National Golf Club near Evansville, Ind. The Springfield stop is scheduled Aug. 9–12 at Highland Springs Country Club.

The purpose of the tournament is to identify and transition players ready for PGA Tour competition. Among the changes with Web.com, the tournament will increase the number of qualifying players to 50 beginning with play in 2013. Currently, the top 25 money winners at the end of the season receive PGA Tour membership.

“This sponsorship is a perfect fit for us – Web.com is committed to helping small- and medium-size businesses compete and succeed online, just as the Web.com Tour helps talented, dedicated athletes maximize their potential and fulfill their dreams,” Web.com President and CEO David Brown said in the release.

Players in Springfield will compete for a $625,000 purse, with the champion taking home $112,500.

Previous umbrella sponsors were Buy.com and Nike.

The Springfield tournament has raised $9.2 million for area charities, and organizers say the local event historically ranks among the top-five fundraising events on the national tour. Last year, Price Cutter’s 10th year as title sponsor, raised a record $782,067 for 43 local children’s charities. The donations are the result of contributions by sponsors, community volunteers and staff members of the organizations involved, and the weeklong festivities comprise pro-am play at area golf courses, golf clinics and awards banquets.