QBE Insurance to title the Shootout

NAPLES, Fla.  – QBE, one of the largest insurers and reinsurers worldwide, and tournament host Greg Norman, announced today an agreement in which QBE will become the title sponsor of Southwest Florida’s annual PGA TOUR Challenge Season stop, now titled the QBE Shootout. 

The Shootout, which has been a mainstay on the TOUR for 28 years, will be held December 6-10 at the Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. The PGA TOUR co-sanctioned event will continue to raise awareness and funds for a variety of worthy charitable causes.

"We are pleased to become the title sponsor of one of the most recognizable events on the PGA TOUR schedule,” said Russ Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of QBE North America. “In addition to The Shootout bringing together some of the world’s best and most prominent names in golf, the tournament provides financial support for very worthwhile charities. Giving back to our communities is in our DNA, which is why the opportunity to sponsor The Shootout was very attractive to us.  There’s a very close alignment between the goals of the QBE Charitable Foundation and the philanthropic mission of Greg Norman’s event.”

“As one of the world’s premier insurance brands, QBE is the perfect partner for this event and we are thrilled to have them as our new title sponsor,” said Greg Norman. “The QBE Shootout is the longest running late-season tournament on the TOUR calendar and this new agreement assures a 30-year anniversary in 2018 which is sure to be a landmark event.”

“For nearly thirty years, the QBE Shootout has been a favorite event on many players’ late-year schedule,” said Andy Pazder, Chief Tournament and Competitions Officer for the PGA TOUR. “The opportunity to play in a team event with three unique formats makes it an exciting tournament for our players, spectators and television viewers. With QBE Insurance’s support, we’re very excited about the event’s future.”

The 2017 field will consist of 24 professionals paired into 12 two-person teams. The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday and a final-round better ball on Sunday.

Harris English and Matt Kuchar won the QBE Shootout last year by one stroke over Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly. It was the second title in three years for the team of English and Kuchar who are expected to defend their title this December.

For the latest QBE Shootout news and information, visit the official tournament website at www.qbeshootout.com, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/qbeshootout and follow us on Twitter @QBEshootout.