Cisco to More Than Triple Total Bonus for Season-Long Performance Race;
Establish New Virtual Networking Series to Connect APGA Tour Players with Industry and Business Leaders

 

News Summary:

• Cisco and the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA Tour) today announced a partnership expansion which establishes the worldwide technology leader as the Presenting Partner of the APGA Tour, further cementing the two organizations’ shared commitment to bringing greater diversity to the game of golf.
• Cisco’s enhanced partnership will include not only increased financial investment, but also the creation of a new virtual networking series that is open to all APGA Tour players to foster personal and professional development.
• Today's announcement builds upon Cisco's ongoing commitment to promoting more diversity in the sport of golf, providing meaningful opportunities for career advancement and powering an inclusive future for all.

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 22, 2024 — Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA Tour) today announced a partnership expansion which establishes the worldwide technology leader as the Presenting Partner of the APGA Tour, further cementing the two organizations’ shared commitment to bringing greater diversity to the game of golf. With the expanded role, Cisco will overhaul the Tour’s season-long points race – now named the Cisco Cup – by offering more than triple the previous prize money pool; as well as launch a virtual networking series leveraging top business executives, industry partners, professional athletes and more to provide insights, offer advice and help build relationships to further the careers of APGA Tour players.

The Cisco Cup, designed to reward players for on-course performance, will offer $150,000 in total prize money to the top five finishers across nine APGA Tour events this season, up from $40,000 in the previous iteration in 2023. The Cisco Cup will reward the top finisher with $100,000 in total earnings, with the second through fifth place finishers to share the remainder of the purse.

In addition to an increased financial commitment, Cisco is also creating a new pathway for APGA Tour players to connect with key industry and business professionals through a series of virtual, private networking sessions. The one-hour roundtable discussions will be hosted via Webex throughout the remainder of the season and aim to foster the personal and professional development of APGA Tour players. The first session is slated to take place in April.

“Since 2022, Cisco has served as an Official Partner of the APGA Tour, with a shared mission to promote a more inclusive and diverse sport of golf by delivering enhanced playing opportunities, greater financial investment and unique mentorship programming,” said Mark Patterson, SVP and Chief of Staff to the Chair and CEO at Cisco. “Today’s announcement reaffirms that vision and establishes a heightened commitment to drive even more meaningful impact in the coming years. I am excited to continue this journey with the APGA Tour and support the careers of these incredible professionals.”

“The APGA has dedicated the last 14 years working to ensure the next generation of golf professionals from underrepresented communities have access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive in the sport,” said Keith Houlemard, CEO of the Advocates Professional Golf Association. “Cisco is invaluable to the APGA and we are thankful for their incredible partnership.”

The partnership will see Cisco continue to support several of the APGA Tour’s marquee events, including the Cisco Black History Month Classic, which wrapped up this week at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course; the Cisco Invitational (Spyglass Hill Golf Course; August 24-26) and the Billy Horschel Invitational presented by Cisco (The Concession Golf Club; October 17-18). Cisco will also continue to support the Junior Series presented by the APGA and Cameron Champ Foundation, a four-tournament initiative designed to promote the growth of the game in young people of diverse backgrounds. The series creates new opportunities for male and female junior golfers to gain valuable playing experience and exposure to the game from a young age.

Cisco will also continue to present the annual APGA Adrian Stills Award, created to honor the APGA Tour player who best embodies the qualities of character, sportsmanship, courage and giving back to the game and community. The Adrian Stills Award winner is determined by a panel of judges and voted on by fellow APGA Tour players. Wyatt Worthington II, the 2023 recipient who was announced earlier this year, received $25,000 to support his golf career and $10,000 to donate to the charity of his choice, as well as exemptions into the two limited-field Cisco-sponsored Invitational events for the 2024 APGA Tour season, the APGA Cisco Invitational and the APGA Billy Horschel Invitational presented by Cisco. 

Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s ongoing investment in the game of golf, as seen through partnerships with the United States Golf Association (USGA), Stephen Curry’s UNDERRATED Golf Tour, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the diverse professional golfers on Team Cisco across the PGA, LPGA and APGA Tours.

About Cisco
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Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

About APGA Tour
The APGA Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf. The APGA Tour Board of Directors works to accomplish this by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs and by introducing the game to inner city young people. In addition to conducting an expected 18 tournaments awarding close to $1 million in prize and bonus money in 2023, the APGA has organized a Player Development Program to aid young minority golfers as they work to chase their goals in professional golf.

 

APGA Media Contact
Derrick Clifton, Flowers Communications Group
312.894.9097
dclifton@explorefcg.com