Chevron Signs $12M Sponsorship Accord With USGA

NEW YORK -- Chevron Corp. signed a $12 million, three-year deal with the U.S. Golf Association to serve as an official corporate partner, according to Bloomberg News. The company will pay $4 million annually for the sponsorship, which reportedly includes print, broadcast and digital media purchases.

Through the agreement, Chevron will use marquee events to promote education by showcasing the science and technology principles behind the game, said Glenn Weckerlin, Chevron's director of marketing. Learning stations will teach about the science of golf; visitors can learn about aerodynamics, velocity and lift of golf balls, and measuring the slope and acceleration of putting greens, according to the report.

"When you see the kids interact with these things, it just really comes to life for them," Sarah Hirshland, USGA director of business affairs, told the news outlet. "Our goal is for that to be an incentive for them to care about and better understand the game."

Chevron, based out of San Ramon, Calif., and the USGA, which governs the game of golf along with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, intend to develop content that will advance youth science, technology, education and math programs, or STEM. The programs are designed to drive student interest in STEM education and introduce them to golf's fundamental elements, said Hirshland.

"We employ a number of engineers and scientists," added Hirshland. "This is an inherent part of what we need in the future. The monetary component is not the driving force behind this."

Chevron will have a hospitality presence, golf outings and a STEM Zone area for students at the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open venues, according to the report.. Chevron has hosted similar learning centers at multiple U.S. PGA Tour events in the past.

"It was a pretty fast discussion," Weckerlin told Bloomberg. "It's a nice fit."

Other official USGA sponsors include American Express, IBM, Lexus International Ltd. and Rolex Watch Co.