WPGA - Toyota Sponsorship

The Western Pennsylvania Toyota Dealers will be the presenting sponsor of four WPGA championships 2008-2010, two individual titles and two team competitions. They include the Amateur and Senior Amateur as individual titles and two foursomes championships-Fred Brand and Semple Brothers Century. Toyota's overall support of Association activities will be $10,000 annually.

"We're delighted with Toyota's support and the overall results of our first year in securing sponsors," commented WPGA Executive Director Jeff Rivard. Toyota has a history of supporting various golf competitions, including the Pennsylvania Toyota Dealers sponsorship of Pennsylvania Golf Association championships. Among programs at some of these WPGA events will be the display of Toyota vehicles by local Toyota auto dealers association.

The Amateur, along with the West Penn Open, is the area's oldest championship, starting in 1899. The defending champion is Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, who won the 2003 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship. It will be played June 23-24 at Bedford Springs Resort's Old Course with qualifying sites at Cedarbrook, Iron Masters, Seven Oaks and Lakeview. The Senior Amateur, originated in 1929, is scheduled for Sinking Valley on June 11, north of Altoona. Don Erickson, III, DuBois, won last year's version. The Fred Brand Foursomes, started in 1954, has been played at Longue Vue Club in Verona since 1983, was won by Dave Ruffaner and Rob Voltz. It's scheduled for April 24. The Semple Brothers, one of the Association's newest championships started in 2004 as a stand alone competition, started in 1996 in conjunction with the Brand. It began on its own at Allegheny in 2004. Last year's winners are Peter Dellovade and Eric Swart, who will defend their title on May 8.