SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Microproducts Inc. (Nasdaq:BELM), one of the world's largest value-added distributors of storage and computing technology, along with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), State of Alabama, County of Mobile, City of Mobile and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, today announced the creation of the Bell Micro LPGA Classic. The LPGA event will be played September 8 - 14, 2008 and feature a full field of players. The inaugural Bell Micro LPGA Classic will be played on the Crossings Course at the Magnolia Grove location on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Mobile, Alabama. The tournament, which will also be played in 2009 and 2010, is scheduled to be televised nationally and internationally.
"As someone who was born and raised in Alabama, having Bell Microproducts as the title sponsor of an LPGA tournament at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course is a particular point of pride to me," noted Don Bell, president and CEO, Bell Microproducts. "The RSA's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the perfect site for the tournament, as it showcases the natural beauty evident in Alabama's diverse topography. As an international, world-class distributor of computer products, Bell Microproducts is proud to be associated with the LPGA Tour which mirrors our core values of diversity, leadership, passion and giving. We believe this is a great opportunity for Bell Microproducts to team up with the LPGA, one of the fastest growing sports tours in the world. We look forward to an exciting tournament in Alabama!"
"Today, we announce another milestone for Alabama, one that will have a tremendous economic impact to Mobile and will also bring in untold tourism dollars to our state," said Dr. David G. Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama. "We are pleased that Bell Microproducts, a leading technology company globally, has Alabama connections and will bring this prestigious tournament to one of the world-class courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Over the years the Mobile area has supported the LPGA Tournament of Champions, and we know golf fans throughout the region will enjoy this full-field event in Mobile. With the Bell Micro LPGA Classic and the Navistar LPGA Classic two weeks later in Prattville, it will be quite a sight to see the LPGA professionals taking on these challenging courses across our beautiful state in September. The new tournament will be a tremendous economic boon to Mobile and showcase the area internationally."
"Mobile has hosted the Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions on Mobile's Magnolia Grove courses for the past eight years and the LPGA and the sponsors have been tremendous partners," said Mayor Samuel Jones, City of Mobile. "We look forward to adding the new tournament in Mobile and are confident it also will be a tremendous success."
"Since this is a full field event, we look forward to welcoming even more LPGA players and spectators to Mobile," said Commissioner Stephen Nodine, Mobile County Commission. "The reopening of the Battle House Hotel and completion of the Renaissance Riverview Plaza renovation leave us with plenty of luxury room to house the influx of guests coming in for this event."
"We are pleased to welcome Bell Microproducts to the LPGA sponsor family as the title sponsor of our second full-field tournament in Alabama," said Mike Nichols, vice president of tournament business affairs for the LPGA. "This tournament will showcase the LPGA on one of the finest Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses -- Magnolia Grove's Crossings course -- and will make for an exciting week for the players and the fans alike."
"We are thrilled to partner with Bell Microproducts and the Retirement Systems of Alabama on this event," continued Nichols. "There has never been a better time to showcase the scope of LPGA talent and personalities. With the support demonstrated by Mayor Jones, Commissioner Nodine, Dr. Bronner and the greater Mobile community, I am confident the fans throughout the state will be treated to a fabulous week of great golf and hospitality at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic."
About the Bell Micro LPGA Classic
The Bell Micro LPGA Classic is a multimillion dollar event showcasing a full field of professional LPGA golfers. The inaugural tournament will be held September 8 - 14 on the Crossings Course at the Magnolia Grove location on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The event is sponsored by Bell Microproducts and will be one of two LPGA tournaments played on the RTJ Golf Trail this year. Jim Johnson will be tournament director for the Bell Micro LPGA Classic. More information on the tournament can be found at www.bellmicrolpgaclassic.com.
About Bell Microproducts Inc.
Bell Microproducts (Nasdaq:BELM) is an international, value-added distributor of a wide range of high-tech products, solutions and services, including storage systems, servers, software, computer components and peripherals, as well as maintenance and professional services. An industry-recognized specialist in storage products, this Fortune 1000 company is one of the world's largest storage-centric value-added distributors. In 2006, the company celebrated the sale of its 50 millionth hard disk drive, setting a significant industry milestone.
Bell Microproducts is uniquely qualified with deep technical and application expertise to service a broad range of information technology needs. From design to deployment, its products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. More information can be found in the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site at www.bellmicro.com.
About the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Twenty-four world-class courses on ten sites -- 432 holes of breathtaking golf -- comprise Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Offered the opportunity to tackle the world's largest contemporaneous golf construction project, legendary designer Robert Trent Jones, Sr. emerged from semi-retirement to create distinctive courses challenging golfers from first-timers to pros. The resulting miles and miles of golf have turned Alabama into a golfer's paradise and earned the Trail accolades from sources as diverse as Frequent Flyer Magazine and Golf Digest to Southern Living and The New York Times. The Trail is an investment of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and features eight hotels in its resort division. For more information on the RTJ Golf Trail, visit www.rtjgolf.com.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2008 features at least 34 events, with total prize money of more than $60 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $190 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's pre-eminent women's professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. In addition to the LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. The LPGA T&CP member programs focus on increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com