LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (January 19, 2015) – PGA TOUR rookie Carlos Sainz Jr. has been awarded the 2015 Northern Trust Open Exemption. In 2013, Sainz won the prestigious Chicago Open, adding his name alongside an impressive list of former champions including Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. In 2014, Sainz earned his 2014-15 PGA TOUR Card as part of his solid performance through the Web.com Tour Finals.
With the 2015 Northern Trust Open less than a month away, Sainz, 29, was chosen from a pool of applicants to receive the exemption, created and sponsored by Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS). The annual exemption provides an opportunity for a top golfer who represents the advancement of diversity in golf and wouldn’t otherwise be eligible to compete in the event. The 2015 Northern Trust Open returns to The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., February 18-22.
“On behalf of Northern Trust, we are pleased to give the Northern Trust Open Exemption to Carlos Sainz Jr.,” said Northern Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frederick H. Waddell. “Carlos is a talented golfer with a bright future on the PGA TOUR, and we look forward to watching him play at Riviera next month.”
Previous Northern Trust Open Exemption recipients include Vincent Johnson (2009), Joshua Wooding (2010), Joseph Bramlett (2011), Andy Walker (2012), Jeremiah Wooding (2013) and Harold Varner III (2014).
“Coming from a half Pilipino and half Bolivian background, I have grown up in a very multi-racial home and community,” said Sainz. “From the city of Chicago to the suburbs of Illinois, I have experienced the true meaning of a melting pot, and through playing golf, I believe I have shown people – especially children and juniors – the possibilities for minority golfers to succeed in the game. I am so thrilled to get this chance, thanks to Northern Trust. Earning my PGA TOUR card was a dream come true, and now knowing I have the opportunity to tee it up at Riviera during my rookie year, it’s beyond my expectations. I hope I can take advantage of this exemption by not only playing well, but also by setting an example for juniors who may be inspired by a Chicago-kid like me competing in such a storied and revered tournament.”
Sainz attended Mississippi State University, where he was a runner-up to Billy Horschel at the 2009 Men’s SEC Championship. After graduating, Sainz competed on PGA TOUR Canada in 2013, where he won the Players Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and ultimately finished in the top 10 Order of Merit to qualify for the Web.com Tour. He also won the Long Boat Key Open on the West Florida Golf Tour in 2013.
While on the Web.com Tour, Sainz played in 24 of the season’s 25 events, recording four top-25 finishes, including an impressive tie for second at the Price Cutter Charity Championship, just one shot back from winner Cameron Percy, and a T12 at the Chiquita Classic (one of the four events in the Web.com Tour Finals). He posted a solid T31 at the Web.com Tour Championship to secure his PGA TOUR status for 2014-15, finishing 74th on the Web.com Tour money list.
Sainz recorded the first top-10 finish of his PGA TOUR career in November at the Sanderson Farms Championship, where he finished T9.
Now in its seventh year, the Northern Trust Open Exemption is an extension of Northern Trust’s commitment to diversity. Northern Trust has received multiple awards for corporate excellence and diversity, including being named a “Best Company for Working Mothers” by Working Mother Magazine for more than 20 years, a “50 Best Companies for Latinas” by LATINA Style Magazine and one of the “40 Best Companies for Diversity” by Black Enterprise magazine.
Candidates for the 2015 Northern Trust Open Exemption were identified through a number of sources including the PGA TOUR, PGA of America through the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, Web.com Tour, The First Tee, World Golf Foundation, USGA and the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association, with additional outreach efforts to potential recipients of Hispanic and Asian descent both in the United States and internationally. Candidates are asked to provide general biographical information, details of their golf accomplishments and an explanation of how they have represented the advancement of diversity in golf. In order to qualify for the exemption, applicants must have a USGA handicap of zero or better.
The Northern Trust Open has a long history of promoting inclusion among minorities. In 1948, the tournament welcomed Bill Spiller and Ted Rhodes as the first African-Americans to play in a sponsored PGA TOUR event. In 2009, the inaugural tournament exemption was named in honor of Charlie Sifford on the 40th anniversary of his victory at the 1969 Northern Trust Open.
For more information, visit www.northerntrustopen.com.
For more information on Carlos Sainz, Jr., please contact Matt Cullen at 904-472-5179 or matt@1degreemanagement.com.
About the Northern Trust Open
The Northern Trust Open is one of the longest-running tournaments on the PGA TOUR. Debuting in 1926 at Los Angeles Country Club, the event had been staged at various courses throughout the Los Angeles area before permanently settling at The Riviera Country Club in 1973. City of Hope was named the official charity of the Northern Trust Open beginning with the 2013 event. In 2014, the Northern Trust Open generated a record $2.1 million to benefit City of Hope and other non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area. The total generated for Los Angeles charities since the event’s inception in 1926 is now more than $58 million.
Fans are reminded that each year, youths 18 and younger are admitted free of charge to the Northern Trust Open when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There is no limit to the number of youths 18 and younger who can attend with a ticketed adult. Also, as part of its support for the Birdies for the Brave military outreach initiative, complimentary grounds admission tickets for active duty, Reserve, military retirees, non-retired veterans and dependents to the Northern Trust Open from Wednesday through Sunday of tournament week. Must show Department of Defense issued ID along with voucher at tournament. Tickets are complimentary but a $1 verification fee per military individual does apply. The direct link for this event is: https://birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com/NorthernTrustOpen/
About Northern Trust
Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of asset servicing, fund administration, asset management, fiduciary, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families, and individuals worldwide. Chicago-based Northern Trust has offices in 19 states, Washington, D.C., and 20 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2014, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$5.9 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$923.3 billion. For 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com and follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope’s main hospital is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, with clinics in Antelope Valley and South Pasadena. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Flickr.
Contacts
Laura Neal
PGA Tour
901.275.7655
lauraneal@pgatourhq.com
Candace Reinheimer
PGA TOUR
904.608.5087
candacereinheimer@pgatourhq.com
