RBS and USGA announce partnership

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS), one of the world's leading financial services companies, has become a corporate partner of the United States Golf Association (USGA), the national governing body of golf in the USA, its territories and Mexico. The four-year agreement with the USGA features a number of components that will be integrated across all USGA championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open. RBS will also support new media platforms and contribute to the USGA's "For the Good of the Game" initiative, which aims to introduce golf to new audiences.

"The USGA is honored to have RBS as its corporate partner to help build awareness for our Association," said USGA President Jim Vernon. "We are looking forward to working with RBS to support our new media content for the USGA, including USGA.org and USOpen.com. We are gratified by their commitment to work with us to introduce the game of golf to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity through our 'For the Good of the Game' grants initiative."

"We are extremely pleased to be working with the USGA to help enhance the appreciation of the game for existing USGA Members and look forward to bringing this wonderful game to a multitude of new golfers by supporting their 'For the Good of the Game' initiative," said Allan Watt, RBS Head of Group Brand Communications.

The USGA partnership will allow RBS to develop and build on its impressive record as a long-time supporter of the game of golf. RBS now has ties to three of golf's four majors, as Official Patron sponsors of The British Open Championship and the PGA Championship. RBS also partners with 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, PGA star Luke Donald and LPGA star Paula Creamer, who are all RBS golf Ambassadors.

Among the activities and marketing opportunities RBS will have in the program are:

* RBS will make a major contribution to the USGA's "For the Good of the Game" initiative and will focus on introducing the game to junior golfers
* RBS will help develop new media content for the USGA, including USGA.org and USOpen.com
* RBS' partnership with the USGA will extend beyond the U.S. Open and include support for the U.S. Women's Open


The USGA corporate partners program is designed to expand the organization's communication horizons and help diversify the USGA's sources of income and reduce expenses so the organization can continue supporting programs such as the USGA Grants program and USGA amateur championships.

For more information on the RBS World of Sport, visit www.rbs.com/sport

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the US and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses.
visit www.usga.org