BEAVERTON, OR– Nike Golf (www.nike.com) has announced a new pro-am series that will feature five of the nation’s top courses at three events during 2019. The Nike Golf Invitational Series will launch in April in Las Vegas with stops in Akron, Ohio and Bandon, Ore., later in the year.
“Nike Golf is excited to launch the NGI Series and welcome our Nike Swoosh Elite professionals to play these outstanding courses as part of this new pro-am series,” said Rick Gielow, North America Sales Director for Nike Golf. “The premium experience for both the professionals and amateurs will be exceptional, from the incredible courses to the nightly hospitality offerings.”
The series launches with the “Nike Golf Invitational: Las Vegas” on April 14-17. Participants will play three of Vegas’ finest courses over three days – Shadow Creek Golf Course (#5*), Southern Highlands Golf Club and Cascata (#56*).
Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH will play host to the “Nike Golf Invitational: Firestone” on July 30-Aug. 2. The pro-am tournament coincides with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week and NFL Hall of Fame Game in nearby Canton. Participants will play Firestone’s North, South and West courses. The South course will play host to the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, one of five major championships on the PGA TOUR Champions, two weeks before the NGI.
The action heads back west in September for the “Nike Golf Invitational: Bandon Dunes” on Sept. 4-7 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Participants will play the the Bandon Dunes (#7*), Pacific Dunes (#2*) and Old MacDonald (#10*) courses, anchoring the Pacific Coast shoreline along the southern coast of Oregon. Bandon Dunes will play host to the U.S. Amateur in 2020.
bd Global (www.bdglobalsports.com), an international sports marketing agency headquartered in Lexington, Ky., will manage the series. bdG currently manages the season-opening Bahamas Great Exuma Classic and Bahamas Great Abaco Classic on the Web.com Tour and operates college basketball events in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Southwest Florida and the Bahamas. The Web.com Tour recently recognized the bd Global team for providing the “Best Pro-Am Experience” at its Bahamas events last season.
“As a long-time partner with Nike in college basketball, we are excited to expand the relationship with the Nike Golf Invitational,” said Brooks Downing, President of bd Global. “The combination of Nike Golf, premium courses in destination locations and unique hospitality experiences will make the NGI a must-do for any golf enthusiast.”
Full information on the Nike Golf Invitational can be found at www.nikegolfinvitational.com and on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @NGISeries.
*Denotes Golf Digest Top 100 Public Courses (2018 Rating)