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Wyndham Worldwide extends Official Partnership through 2021

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GREENWICH, Conn. – The AJGA and Wyndham Worldwide announced a five-year partnership extension during Monday’s Opening Ceremonies at the 2016 Wyndham Cup. The renewed agreement keeps Wyndham Worldwide as an AJGA Official Partner, as the Official Hospitality Partner of the AJGA, and the title sponsor of Wyndham Cup through 2021.

“Wyndham Cup is one of the AJGA’s most special and memorable events, and the tournament continues to thrive because of Wyndham Worldwide’s outstanding support,” said Jason Etzen, AJGA Chief Business Officer. “Wyndham has impacted junior golf and the AJGA beyond Wyndham Cup, and we’re excited about building an even greater legacy together over the next five years.”

Wyndham Worldwide began sponsoring Wyndham Cup in 2011, and in 2014 the company began endowing a $100,000 ACE Grant to support talented junior golfers who lack the financial resources to play a national junior golf schedule. Since the ACE Grant’s inception in 2003, the AJGA has reimbursed more than $2.8 million to more than 800 junior golfers, and the program continues to grow because of the generous support of partners like Wyndham Worldwide.

“Wyndham is proud to support golf at all levels and nothing makes us prouder than to partner with the AJGA,” said Kevin Rinker, Vice President of Sports & Corporate Partnerships for Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “Together with the AJGA we look forward to investing in the lives of these young men and women and providing them with a place to develop as players and as people.”

Wyndham Cup has been a marquee event since it began in 1990, as it brings together 40 of the country’s top junior golfers in an East-versus-West team match play tournament. The West has retained the Cup the last three years, and it leads the all-time series 14-9-3.

The team match play format has created unforgettable pairings and has served as a glimpse into the future of college and professional golf. Before becoming LPGA and PGA Tour pros, In-bee Park and Brian Harman were four-ball teammates in 2004, while Lexi Thompson and Morgan Hoffmann teamed up in 2007. Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer have been Solheim Cup teammates five times, but as junior golfers they squared off against each other in a Wyndham Cup singles match in 2002.

In addition to these great pairings, the overall experience has been elevated because of Wyndham Worldwide’s support. The matches have been played at some of the country’s top courses, such as Eagle Point Golf Club in North Carolina and The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in California, and the players create a buzz about the tournament that resonates year round. As a result, Wyndham Cup has earned the AJGA’s Invitational of the Year Award in 2014 and the Social Media Award in 2015.

“The Wyndham Cup has a long and storied history and we are honored to add our name to what we consider to be the elite junior golf event where tomorrow's stars begin their journey to greatness,” Rinker said.

Other Wyndham Cup alumni include Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Ryan Moore, Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods, Amanda Blumenherst, Kellee Booth, Alison Lee, Bill Haas, Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Cristie Kerr and Brittany Lincicome. The 27th edition of the event begins Tuesday morning at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

About Wyndham Worldwide

One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality services and products through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands.  The world's largest hotel company based on the number of properties, Wyndham Hotel Group is home to many of the world's best-known hotel brands, with over 7,800 franchised hotels and 678,000 hotel rooms worldwide. Wyndham Destination Network is the world's largest provider of professionally managed, unique vacation accommodations with more than 112,000 vacation properties in over 100 countries, sending more than 13 million people annually to their desired destinations through its trusted, diverse network of brands. The industry and timeshare ownership market leader, Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 210 vacation ownership resorts serving approximately 897,000 owners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Based in Parsippany, NJ, Wyndham Worldwide employs approximately 38,000 associates globally. For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.