The tradition of Shell Oil Company being a leader in charitable efforts in the greater Houston area, as well as on the PGA TOUR, will continue for six more years. On Wednesday, Shell Oil committed to a contract extension of the title sponsorship agreement for the Shell Houston Open though 2012, continuing its relationship with the Houston Golf Association (HGA) and PGA TOUR.

Since Shell Oil Company became title sponsor of the event, the Houston Golf Association has generated more than $40 million in charitable contributions for local worthy causes. In 2005, the PGA TOUR celebrated breaking the $1 billion mark in charitable contributions from all tournaments dating back to 1938.

The announcement of the agreement comes over a year before the current contract expires. "Shell Oil Company, the Houston Golf Association and the PGA TOUR have been great partners since 1992," said John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Company. "The Shell Houston Open has become more than a sporting event because of the charitable funds produced by tournament-related activities."

The HGA has been bringing professional golf to the region since 1946 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. "We can't imagine a better anniversary present than this," said Steve Timms, president and CEO of Houston Golf Association. "Especially since the tournament is making its debut this week on the new Tournament Course at Redstone Golf Club, which was designed specifically to host the Shell Houston Open."

Shell Oil Company's title sponsorship tenure is the ninth oldest among current PGA TOUR title sponsors. Only the Buick Open (1958), Honda Classic (1982), FedEx-St. Jude Classic (1986), Bob Hope Chrysler Classic (1986), AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (1986), Verizon Heritage (1987), BellSouth Classic (1989), Nissan Los Angeles Open (1989) have been involved longer.

"We couldn't be more pleased that Shell will continue as title sponsor in Houston in partnership with the Houston Golf Association and PGA TOUR," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Through the leadership of the HGA and strong support of Shell, the Shell Houston Open has become a leader in charitable contributions on the PGA TOUR and will continue to thrive as the TOUR enters an exciting new era with the introduction of the FedEx Cup competition in 2007."

Synonymous with professional golf since its landmark television series Shell's Wonderful World of Golf first aired from 1962-1970, Shell has remained steadfast in its involvement with golf. It is the sole Founding Partner of the World Golf Foundation, which oversees the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., and is also the founding corporate partner for The First Tee®, a WGF outreach program that has brought the game of golf and its values to hundreds of thousands of children worldwide.