The International Federation of PGA Tours has announced that the Tour de las Americas (TLA) has joined the Federation under the Associate Membership category.
The Tour de las Americas, with offices in Coral Gables, Florida and Caracas, Venezuela, is focused on the development of professional golf in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The TLA stages tournaments throughout the entire region, from Mexico to Argentina. In 2006, TLA staged 14 events with over 140 Tour members coming from a wide range of countries, including Canada, England, France, Finland, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and the USA, as well as from every country in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“We are very pleased to join the prestigious International Federation of PGA Tours,” said Henrique Lavie, Commissioner of the Tour de las Americas.
“The TLA has a bright future, as we work toward our golf of stimulating interest in the sport of golf in our region and helping to produce an increasing number of players of world-class quality. This new association with the Federation will only help us become an even more important part of the global golf scene.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federation, PGA Tour Commissioner Timothy W Finchem said: “It is a pleasure to welcome the Tour de las Americas to Associate Membership in the Federation. TLA continues to make significant strides in developing a very solid competitive schedule and is producing an increasing number of outstanding players. The Federation looks forward to this new affiliation for TLA.”
The Associate Membership category provides an opportunity for participation in Federation activities in a number of ways, including:
• Tour may be considered as host for World Golf Championships events at venues in the Tour’s area.
• Opportunity to have Chief Rules Official participate on Rules Committee of World Golf Championships events.
• Opportunity to suggest potential agenda items for consideration by full members at Federation meetings.
• Opportunity to review with other Federation members, both formally and informally, matters of general interest to the world of golf.
In joining the International Federation of PGA Tours, TLA joins the Canadian Tour in the Associate Membership category.
Tours with full Federation membership include The European Tour, the Asian Tour, Australasian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour, and South African Tour.
