NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) announced it has signed a five-year partnership with The R&A to become an Official Patron of The Open Championship through July 31, 2016.
As part of the agreement, Ralph Lauren will outfit all officials and staff members at The Open Championship. The Company will provide a complete selection of RLX Golf and Polo Golf apparel for men and women as well as an assortment of Ralph Lauren Childrenswear in the on-site retail pavilion area. In addition, Ralph Lauren will create a dedicated Polo Golf men’s collection celebrating the Royal Lytham & St. Annes 2012 Open Championship.
Played annually since 1860 on British links golf courses, The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. The only major held outside the United States, The Open Championship is administered by The R&A—the governing body of world golf outside the US with national affiliates in 126 countries around the globe.
Ralph Lauren’s patronage of The Open Championship reinforces the brand’s dedication to golf as well as its leadership in major global sporting initiatives. In addition to this partnership, the Company also serves as the Official Outfitter for the United States Golf Association, the Official Apparel Sponsor of the US Open Tennis Championships and the Official Outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships, and will be the proud Outfitter for the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Ralph Lauren also sponsors the Blackwatch Polo Team as well as an elite roster of professional golfers such as Luke Donald, Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Jonathan Byrd, Matteo Manassero, Webb Simpson and Morgan Pressel.
ABOUT RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 43 years, Ralph Lauren Corporation's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, American Living, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com.
ABOUT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The Open Championship is golf’s oldest Major. Played since 1860 on British links golf courses, it is the game’s most international Major Championship with qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans. Organized by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of £100 million to its host region, while the Championship’s commercial success supports the development of the game, worldwide.