Manulife extends title sponsorship of the Manulife LPGA Classic through 2017

Purse increased to US$1.7 million for 2017 tournament

WATERLOO, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Manulife has extended its title sponsorship of the Manulife LPGA Classic through 2017. The tournament purse will also see an increase to US$1.7 million in 2017. Since its inception, the tournament has attracted more than 260,000 spectators, and over 4,000 volunteers.

"Manulife will bring the stars of the LPGA back to Waterloo Region for the sixth time in 2017, to compete for the title," said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. "The community's support of the tournament has made it one of the most well-attended events on the LPGA tour." 

Fans can now look forward to this year's tournament during the Labour Day weekend knowing that the world's best golfers will return for a June date in 2017 at Whistle Bear Golf Club. The Manulife LPGA Classic is one of only two Canadian LPGA Tour stops. 

"For the first time since 1904, golfers will compete in the Olympics this year," said Harrison. "Just 10 days after they return home from Rio, fans will have the unique opportunity to watch Olympians compete in Canada at the Manulife LPGA Classic."

Strong Partnerships with the LPGA
In addition to purse increases, Manulife further strengthened its commitment to women's golf when it announced its renewed corporate sponsorship of Rolex ranked no. 5 Stacy Lewis and up-and-coming Canadian professional golfer, Jennifer Kirby; and the addition of inaugural Manulife LPGA Classic champion, Brittany Lang.

Since the tournament's inception in 2012, Manulife has worked closely with the LPGA and tournament owner, Sports Properties International, to enhance the tournament in a number of areas including reducing its environmental impact. Last year, the clubhouse was green powered to off-set the emissions associated with the on-site generators and courtesy vehicles. This effectively made the tournament carbon neutral.

Official Charity Partner
St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation will continue to be the tournament's official charity partner. As a result of this four-year partnership, the foundation has received more than $1.2 million in donations, supporting its Regional Cardiac Care Centre and women's heart health initiatives.

This year's tournament will take place August 29 to September 4, at Whistle Bear Golf Club near Cambridge, Ontario in Waterloo Region, with a purse of US$1.6 million.

For information, including on 2016 volunteer opportunities and tickets, visit www.manulifeclassic.ca

About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions.  We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere.  We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.  At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers.  At the end of March 2016, we had $904 billion (US$697 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $24.9 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers.  Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years.  With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.  Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

About the Manulife LPGA Classic
The Manulife LPGA Classic (@ManulifeClassic) is one of only two Canadian stops on the LPGA Tour and features a standard eligibility field of 150 players, 72 holes of stroke play and a purse of US$1.6 million in 2016. The tournament will take place August 29 to September 4, 2016, at Whistle Bear Golf Club near Cambridge, Ontario in Waterloo Region, home of Manulife's Canadian Division headquarters.

About Sports Properties International
As owner of the Manulife LPGA Classic, Sports Properties International was created to provide an environment where communities and spectacular sporting events can come together, connected by a common interest. Sports Properties International can be found on the internet at www.spint.ca

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

Image with caption: "Suzann Pettersen celebrates after winning the 2015 Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club near Cambridge, Ontario in Waterloo Region. (CNW Group/Manulife Financial Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160530_C5801_PHOTO_EN_701749.jpg

Media Contact: Brooke Tucker-Reid, Manulife, 647-528-9601, [email protected], @ManulifeNews