| Commerce Bank extends title sponsorship agreement  EAST MEADOW, N.Y. -- Commerce Bank has extended its title sponsorship agreement of the Commerce Bank Championship with the Champions Tour through 2009, it was announced Thursday by Commerce Bank and the Champions Tour. Commerce Bank has been title sponsor of the Long Island event since 2004.
The Golf Channel will televise all three rounds. "Commerce Bank and the Commerce Bank Championship have enjoyed a great partnership over the past three years," said Vernon Hill, chairman of Commerce Bank. "We are very proud to extend this relationship with the tournament and the Champions Tour. Our sponsorship of the tournament is an excellent way for Commerce to give back to the many great Long Island communities we serve." "Commerce Bank is a great business success story and the Champions Tour is very pleased to be associated with them," said Rick George, president of the Champions Tour. "Vernon Hill's leadership and commitment to the Commerce Bank Championship have led to key tournament enhancements. Among them are the move to Eisenhower Park, with the Red Course quickly becoming a favorite among the players, and Long Island native Boomer Esiason's involvement on behalf of his charitable foundation." "I am delighted to be involved with the Commerce Bank Championship," said Esiason, the former NFL quarterback, broadcaster and the tournament's honorary chairman. "This is one of the premier sporting events on Long Island and one that has a long tradition of supporting charity. As a native Long Islander, it is great to be part of something that not only celebrates the best of Long Island but gives back to our community as well." The Commerce Bank Championship will donate proceeds to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Schneider Children's Hospital and other local Long Island charities. The Commerce Bank Championship roster of past champions includes World Golf Hall of Fame members Gary Player, Lee Trevino and Raymond Floyd, plus a pair of two-time winners, Bruce Fleisher and Jim Thorpe, among others. The event has enjoyed dramatic finishes over the years including last June's event when Harris outlasted Tom Jenkins in a playoff, with Jay Haas, Andy Bean and Gil Morgan missing the playoff by a shot. "All of the players love Eisenhower Park," said defending champion Harris. "We've already got a great tradition going there. Vernon Hill and everyone from Commerce Bank have been fantastic and we look forward to continuing a great partnership." "I'd like to thank Vernon Hill and everyone at Commerce Bank for extending their contract with the Champions Tour," said Thorpe, the 2003 and 2004 champion. "Eisenhower Park is a course all of the players enjoy and Long Island is a beautiful place to play. We can't wait to get back there next year." The Champions Tour recently announced its 2007 schedule. It features the Commerce Bank Championship and 28 other official Charles Schwab Cup events. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
