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The LPGA Tour is expanding its ties to the Garden State with a stop at a new venue for the organization, and a new official partner.

SHI International and the Ladies Professional Golf Association announced a multiyear agreement Sept. 26 to establish the Somerset-based IT solutions provider as the official technology partner of the LPGA Tour. The news comes just days after LPGA and Mizuho Americas disclosed that the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open will take place next year Liberty National in Jersey City.

“Partnering with the LPGA allows SHI an opportunity to have different conversations with business and IT leaders in a new and fun environment, growing our relationships through a love of golf and an admiration of the world-class abilities the LPGA players possess,” said SHI co-founder, president and CEO, Thai Lee. “We are excited to introduce our customers, business partners, and employees to the sense of community, empowerment, and growth felt at LPGA tour events that make this partnership a natural fit.”

SHI said it is the largest Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise in the U.S. The pairing will allow the LPGA to meet the changing technological needs of the association, while SHI and its customers will have opportunities for corporate branding and on-site hospitality suites at select tour events. According to the announcement, the company will utilize “the LPGA as a tech story-telling platform” to highlight its commitment to supporting women’s sports.

“Thai Lee and her team at SHI have thrived in the IT industry by recognizing the advantages of supporting diversity throughout a company’s workforce and partnership network,” said Kelly Hyne, chief sales officer of the LPGA. “We are thrilled to welcome a new partner whose mission aligns so closely with our values. Together we will continue to elevate our world-class athletes and our sport around the world and strive toward peak performance in all aspects of the organization.”

SHI purchased the naming rights to the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights football team’s Piscataway home, now SHI Stadium, in 2019.

Teeing off

Though it’s presented other big-banner events, Liberty National Golf Club has never played host to the LPGA. That will change in 2023 when the Mizuho Americas Open is held May 29 – June 4. Golfers will compete for a $2.75 million purse — one of the largest non-Major Championship total prize pools on the LPGA Tour calendar for next year, according to the partners.

The Hudson County country club, situated next to Liberty State Park, hosted The Professional Golfers’ Association’s Northern Trust tournament in 2021 and 2019.

The Mizuho Americas Open stop at Liberty National will occur simultaneously with the American Junior Golf Association Invitational. That event will provide 24 female junior golfers the chance to complete alongside the 120-player LPGA Tour for their own individual title.

The AJGA is a nonprofit dedicated to the growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. According to the partners, this is the first time the AJGA and the LPGA are teaming up to showcase future stars and current players simultaneously, “creating an unprecedented week of education and access to inspire the next generation of LPGA Tour players.”

The multiyear agreement between Mizuho America, LPGA and Liberty National is the first entry into sports sponsorship in the U.S. for the New York City-based arm of the worldwide financial institution. Former LPGA Tour player Michelle Wie West will serve as Tournament Host and Mizuho Brand Ambassador.

“The Mizuho Americas Open is a purpose-driven partnership that aligns our shared values of opportunity, equity, and advancing the next generation of talent,” said Mizuho Americas Chairman and CEO Shuji Matsuura in a statement.

According to the announcement, the LPGA stop in New Jersey comes at a time of record-setting global growth for the organization: In 2022, the Tour’s 32 events offered a record-high $93.5 million in prize money to athletes representing more than 35 counties.

“As the worldwide leader in women’s golf, the LPGA is committed to integrating and growing all parts of the female golf ecosystem and this event is perfectly aligned with that goal,” said LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “From the first time we met the teams at Mizuho and Liberty National, it was clear how committed they both were to making this a game-changing event for players, employees and fans and more broadly, using the tournament as a platform to advance opportunities for girls and women on and off the golf course.”

The Mizuho Americas Open is owned and operated by N.Y.-based sports agency Excel Sports Management, whose representation includes many top players and rising stars on the LPGA Tour. “With a committed Title Sponsor, a unique format, an influential tournament host, and a first-class venue, we have all the pieces in place to create a special experience for our players, sponsors, and the passionate golf and sports fans here in the New York Metropolitan Area,” Excel Vice President Kevin Hopkins said.

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