LOS ANGELES -- Nissan North America, Inc., title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Nissan Open since 1989, has extended its sponsorship by four years, through 2010.

The announcement was made Thursday by Jan Thompson, vice president, marketing for Nissan.

“It gives Nissan great pleasure to extend our partnership with the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Riviera County Club and the PGA TOUR,” Thompson said. “Aside from bringing world class golf to the greater L.A. area, it allows Nissan to partner with the LAJCC in reaching out to the community in which, we work and live.”

Nissan’s affiliation with the tournament began in 1987 as presenting sponsor. The Nissan Open, held annually at Riviera Country Club, is the oldest civic-sponsored tournament on the PGA TOUR, celebrating its 80th anniversary this week. The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce has managed the event since its inception.

“Nissan’s longstanding involvement with the Nissan Open has had significant influence on the tournament’s overall growth and charitable impact,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Besides being one of the longest-running tournaments on TOUR, its host venue, Riviera Country Club, is one of the great historic courses and a favorite among players. We are very pleased that Nissan has extended its sponsorship through 2010 and will continue to play an important role in the event’s success.”

The extension coincides with next year’s start of the TOUR’s new television agreements and introduction of the new FedEx Cup competition, a dramatic season-long points bonus program for players and the centerpiece to the restructured PGA TOUR season in 2007. Scheduled for Feb. 15-18 next year, the Nissan Open’s first two rounds will be televised on The Golf Channel -- the TOUR’s exclusive cable network provider for the next 15 years -- while the weekend coverage will return to CBS.

“The LA Junior Chamber of Commerce is extremely happy with the extension of the title sponsor relationship with Nissan North America,” said Tournament Director Tom Pulchinski. “They are not only a great partner relative to the tournament but also regarding their support of our charitable efforts in the Los Angeles community.”

The Nissan Open benefits various area organizations, with proceeds benefiting the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce’s community service projects throughout Los Angeles County.

Since Nissan assumed title-sponsorship in 1989, the Nissan Open has generated more than $20 million for local charities. Last year's event raised in excess of $1.5 million. The mission of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce is to serve the community by providing innovative projects and programs which benefit at-risk youth. The five primary charitable recipients from the 2005 event were: Urban Youth Golf, Safe Passage, L.A. Watts Summer Games, Riordan Leadership Development and Ready to Learn.