FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zurich Extends Sponsorship of New Orleans Tournament through 2019

Insurance giant continues to make a difference in region through Zurich Classic of New Orleans

AVONDALE, La. (April 24, 2012)  - Zurich Insurance Group CEO Martin Senn today announced that the company has signed a five-year extension as title sponsor of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, through 2019.

Senn was joined by PGA TOUR members Justin Rose and Ben Crane, PGA TOUR Chief Marketing Officer Jay Monahan and Steve Worthy, CEO of The Fore!Kids Foundation, the tournament's host organization.

"This extension shows Zurich's continued commitment to New Orleans and its people," Senn said during a press conference at TPC Louisiana, where the 54th edition of the tournament begins tomorrow. "Our sponsorship has allowed us to build valuable relationships with the Fore!Kids Foundation and the PGA TOUR. Together we have raised more than $9 million to support local charities whose mission is to help children in need in the New Orleans area.  The Zurich Classic has paid dividends on many levels and I am confident that Zurich's bonds with New Orleans will grow even stronger in the years ahead."

Zurich became title sponsor of the tournament in 2005 and four years later, signed an extension through 2014.

"Zurich has been a wonderful partner and very active supporter of the Fore!Kids Foundation and the city of New Orleans since becoming title sponsor of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2005," Monahan said. "From their involvement with the recovery process after Hurricane Katrina, to the financial, personal and emotional support of tournament beneficiaries, Zurich executives and employees have made a tremendous impact through their efforts. We are absolutely delighted that this relationship will continue for another five years."

Since Zurich became title sponsor in 2005, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has generated more than $9 million for youth-focused charities identified by Fore!Kids Foundation.

In addition to financial support, Zurich employees and guests have become personally involved in tournament-week activities at several key beneficiaries. These include a visit to the St. Michael Special School for children with major learning difficulties and an executive build at the St. Bernard Project, established after Hurricane Katrina to rebuild homes in the storm-ravaged areas of the city.

Funds from Zurich and the tournament helped to build a Vocational Training Center at St. Michael that bears Zurich's name. Zurich also funded a new state-of-the-art playground at the school, which was dedicated last year.

"This is much more than a title sponsorship, it's a true collaboration," Worthy said. "It's a special relationship between Zurich, The Fore!Kids Foundation and the city of New Orleans. We very much look forward to continuing our partnership with Zurich and continuing to make a difference in the New Orleans area." 

 

About Zurich insurance Group

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurance provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well as other markets. It offers a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, mid-sized and large companies as well as multinational corporations. Zurich employs about 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries. The Group, formerly known as Zurich Financial Services Group, is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt program (ZURVY) which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

About Fore!Kids Foundation

Since 1958, the Fore!Kids Foundation has raised money to fund children's service organizations through golf events - like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Golf Ball Gala, a kids' summer junior tour, and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has raised nearly $23 million to date, providing healthcare, education, and hope for over 200,000 children each year.

About PGA TOUR

The PGA TOUR is the world's premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada.

The PGA TOUR's mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in the communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.

Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 945 million households in 225 countries and territories in 32 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2012, tournaments across all Tours generated more than $130 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR's all-time total of charitable contributions to more than $1.8 billion.

The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.com, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

# # #