The announcement no one wanted to hear but some expected was delivered this afternoon. After 2024, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is not returning to Harbor Shores.
Whirlpool Corporation shared the announcement late Wednesday afternoon. Without question, the region will be rocked by the loss of the event, both economically and spiritually.
Pam Klyn, executive vice president of corporate relations and sustainability said the company is extremely proud of their partnership with the PGA of America.
“After much consideration and many conversations both internally and with our friends at the PGA of America, we were not able to find a path forward that would build on our prior success in a way that made sense for both partners. We look forward to making the final KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship this May a celebration of all of our success up to this point and creating some new memories in 2024.”
Certainly more reaction from community members to come, along with more questions about what’s next. Tune in to the WSJM Morning Show on Thursday for more information.
The full statement from Whirlpool Corporation:
Whirlpool Corporation and the PGA of America announced today that 2024 will be the final year that KitchenAid will be title sponsor of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
The KitchenAid partnership with the PGA of America began in 2011 with a unique agreement between the two entities where KitchenAid brand was named the official home appliance brand of the PGA of America. Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Mich. was named as home course of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and scheduled the Championship to be hosted there every other year beginning in 2012.
Over the course of the sponsorship, KitchenAid delivered what was considered by many as the best and most unique brand activation program of any golf championship. Creating a bridge between cooking and golf that had never been considered in the past, the brand thrilled spectators, brought new audiences to the sport and created a one-of-a-kind family-friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.
“We are extremely proud of our 13 year partnership with the PGA of America and all that we have accomplished together. We have continued to evaluate key metrics throughout this partnership in order to ensure there is ongoing mutual value, as is common in any business endeavor,” said Pamela Klyn, executive vice president, corporate relations and sustainability, Whirlpool Corporation.
“After much consideration and many conversations both internally and with our friends at the PGA of America, we were not able to find a path forward that would build on our prior success in a way that made sense for both partners. We look forward to making the final KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship this May a celebration of all of our success up to this point and creating some new memories in 2024.”
From the beginning, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship has brought international attention to Harbor Shores Golf Club and Whirlpool Corporation’s hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan and has been a catalyst to a revitalization of the area. The Championship has showcased Southwest Michigan as a great place to work, live and play and helped to attract residents and visitors alike to the area.
“We have greatly valued our partnership with Whirlpool Corporation and have made lifelong friends as a result of our great work together for over a decade,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America. “This community has embraced and welcomed us with open arms, and we are so thankful for this long and fruitful partnership. The impact of this Championship in Southwest Michigan and across the golf landscape will be felt for a very long time.”
Sponsorship History
KitchenAid became presenting sponsor of the Senior PGA Championship in 2011 through 2014, an agreement that included hosting the event at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2012 and 2014. Benton Harbor, Michigan is the hometown of Whirlpool Corporation and the KitchenAid brand. In 2013, KitchenAid extended its sponsorship through 2018. This extension also included hosting the event at Harbor Shores in 2016 and 2018 and made KitchenAid title sponsor, providing an expanded presence at the event, as well as in the global television broadcast and online. In 2017, KitchenAid further extended its title sponsorship through 2024, an extension that included hosting the event at Harbor Shores in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
