ATLANTA, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- ING announced today its title sponsorship of the 2005 ING Par-3 Shootout with ESPN, at the Treetops Course at the Treetops Resort. The yearly event will take place on June 27-28, in Gaylord, Michigan. The event allows ING to showcase its brand in an environment among some of the world's greatest golf professionals.
"As the new title sponsor of one of golf's premier events, ING couldn't be more pleased and proud to be affiliated with this sponsorship, the Treetops Resort and ESPN," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer for ING US Financial Services. "The launch of a new sports sponsorship is an exciting time for ING and we're thrilled to be hosting this prestigious event."
ESPN2 will televise the two-day, 18-hole event at Treetops Resort on a same day delayed basis from 10 p.m. - midnight ET. For the first time the broadcast will also air on ESPN2 HD.
Freddie Couples will try to defend his title, and will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Gary McCord and Andy North.
Shootout Format
The purse for the 18-hole tournament is $540,000 and an additional $1 million bonus is available for every hole-in-one. Each hole is worth $20,000, with a $10,000 bonus for the player hitting his shot closest to the pin. If the hole is not won, the money carries over to the next hole. If the hole is won, the player doesn't get the money unless he validates it on the next hole by either winning or tying the low score. No validation is necessary on playoff holes.
About ING
ING Group is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of more than 115,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.
In the U.S., the ING family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which include life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves more than 14 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit http://www.ing.com/ .
Press inquiries: Caroline Campbell, ING, 770-618-3801
