The PGA TOUR announced today that Fortinet, a company specializing in cybersecurity, will become the title sponsor of Tour’s annual fall event in Napa Valley.
Titled the Fortinet Championship, the Napa tournament will continue its role as the kickoff event of the new PGA Tour season, contested at the Silverado Resort and Spa, Sept. 13-19, 2021.
The tournament has a history which dates back to 2007 when it was titled the Fry’s Electronics Open and contested at Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. It moved to CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin in 2010, and eventually to the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa in 2014. Safeway became the title sponsor in 2016.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fortinet to the PGA TOUR family with the Fortinet Championship leading off the 2021-22 FedExCup Regular Season in September,” said Tyler Dennis, PGA TOUR President.
“Napa is an extremely popular stop for our players, their families and our fans. We look forward to having Fortinet help grow the event to maximize charitable impact for the Napa Valley community.”
“Fortinet is excited to partner with the PGA TOUR as both our organizations are committed to trust and creating exceptional experiences – ensuring players and customers are set up for success to overcome even the most trying conditions and challenges,” said John Maddison, EVP of Products and CMO at Fortinet. “This partnership will benefit our community, customers and local nonprofit organizations. We look forward to hosting the Fortinet Championship in Napa.”
Silverado Resort and Spa hosted the Tour from 1968-80 before returning in 2014. Additionally, Silverado was a PGA TOUR Champions venue from 1989-2002.
All four rounds of the Fortinet Championship will be televised on Golf Channel, featuring a 156-player field, 500 FedExCup points and a $7 million purse. Stewart Cink, the winner of the 2009 Open Championship and a member of four U.S. Presidents Cup teams and five U.S. Ryder Cup teams, is expected to defend his 2020 Safeway Open title.
