Freedom 55 Financial’s impact on Canadian golf will expand in 2015 and beyond. In conjunction with their growing support for the game, the season-ending event on PGA TOUR Canada will have a new name and greater profile along with enhanced awards for the top Canadian players on TOUR.
The culminating event, where players will once again race for position on the Order of Merit to finish in The Five and chase for Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year, will now be known as the Freedom 55 Financial Championship with its $200,000 purse becoming the highest on TOUR. The extension will see the tournament – which is conducted in partnership with host organization Golf Canada – remain as the exciting capstone of the PGA TOUR Canada season through the 2020 season.
Freedom 55 Financial will enhance their support of Canada’s top young players by boosting prize money for Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year to $25,000 from $10,000, and increasing Canadian Player of the Week prize money to $2,500 from $1,500.
“The goals and dreams of Canadians are important to our organization,” says Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial/Wealth & Estate Planning Group. “With events and partnerships like these, we can continue to inspire freedom, confidence and optimism for the future in so many young athletes.”
“Freedom 55 Financial has been a tremendous partner for the TOUR. This expansion of this partnership is indicative of their commitment and will enable us to further build the stature of the event, grow its impact in the community and provide an even greater opportunity for our players to achieve their dreams of making it to the PGA TOUR,” said PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday.
Last year’s Freedom 55 Financial Championship saw an exciting conclusion to the 2014 season, where Vancouver, British Columbia’s Ryan Williams took home his first PGA TOUR Canada win to also capture Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year honours.
“PGA TOUR Canada plays an important role in developing and showcasing this country’s best players and Freedom 55 Financial has been a driving force behind the TOUR’s success,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “The city of London has proven to be a terrific sports community and an ideal host for the TOUR’s marquee championship.”