Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America announced today a multi-year partnership that makes Elijah Craig the “Official Bourbon” and a Worldwide Supplier of the Ryder Cup. The Elijah Craig partnership will be showcased at the 2023 Ryder Cup, which takes place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome from Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, and the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Elijah Craig is credited as the “Father of Bourbon” for being the first to char oak barrels to make bourbon and inspires today’s award-winning family of whiskeys. Elijah Craig Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, as well as a custom Ryder Cup signature cocktail will be available course-wide at each event. Spectators will experience Elijah Craig through a prominent digital media presence across the PGA of America’s and Ryder Cup’s social and digital channels including custom content, run-of-site media and authentic integration across social platforms. Ryder Cup and Bourbon enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase special bottlings of Elijah Craig to commemorate the 2023 Ryder Cup.
First established in 1927, the biennial competition pits 12 of the top professional golfers from the U.S. and Europe against each other in a head-to-head match play competition and has become one of the world’s greatest sporting events, captivating an audience of millions around the globe to watch the Ryder Cup. Elijah Craig continues to leave its mark on the golf world, where it is also the Official Bourbon and Whiskey Supplier of the PGA of America, PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and an official partner of the PGA National Club Championship. Elijah Craig also serves as the “The Official Bourbon” of PGA TOUR Professional Golfer Max Homa and sports broadcaster Amanda Balionis Renner.
Speaking about the new partnership, Max Stefka, Group Product Director, Elijah Craig Bourbon, said: “It’s an honor to pair Elijah Craig’s quality craftsmanship with the unparalleled history of the Ryder Cup. Few events across the world inspire such passion and pride, and we look forward to celebrating every moment over a glass of Elijah Craig.”
Guy Kinnings, Ryder Cup Director, said: “The Ryder Cup is renowned for its incredible atmosphere and this is helped by world class hospitality for our spectators. As one of the world’s top tourist attractions and a first-time host, Rome promises to be a special occasion this September. Elijah Craig Bourbon will be a fantastic addition to our partner community and we look forward to working together to bring their product range to our spectators.”
Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer of the PGA of America, added: “Elijah Craig’s presence at the 2023 Ryder Cup will be a great enhancement to the overall spectator experience. As one of the most prestigious events in sports, we are delighted to have Elijah Craig Bourbon and its unparalleled taste and quality as part of the Ryder Cup festivities at Marco Simone and Bethpage.”
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About Elijah Craig Bourbon
Known as “The Father of Bourbon,” Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is. Today, Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of up to $300,000 to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
About Ryder Cup Europe
Ryder Cup Europe – which comprises representatives of the European Tour (60%), of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland (20%) and the Confederation of Professional Golf through the vehicle of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT) (20%) – owns the rights of the Ryder Cup when the competition is held in Europe.
The European Tour is the Managing Partner and has prime responsibility for all matters concerning the European Team; the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland is the Founding Partner; and the Confederation of Professional Golf is responsible for the management of the Trust, which is the Development Partner.
Our Worldwide Partners for the 2023 Ryder Cup are Aon, BMW, Capgemini and Rolex.
About PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contact
Lauren Newcomb, Heaven Hill, lnewcomb@heavenhill.com