Case Study – Valley Toyota Dealers

Eight years ago, JDM Partners and the Arizona Golf Association rolled out a unique amateur golf tournament that featured the nation’s top collegiate golfers playing in a PGA style formatted event. In addition to this, the event was formulated to help support America’s fallen heroes that were killed or injured in military service to their country. The event was tabbed the Patriot All America Golf Tournament and serves as an ideal combination of collegiate athletics and a salute to service.

Former players include a who’s who in golf: Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Patrick Rogers, and Daniel Berger to name just a few. Still the tournament was held in relative obscurity at the Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park.

Seeking greater legitimacy and a major title sponsor, JDM Partners hired Line Drive Sports Marketing to assess the value associated with the tournament while looking for creative ways to drive promotion to enhance attendance for their event that is held at the Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

To date they were able to secure a handful of sponsors for the event through relationships established by JDM Partners principal, Jerry Colangelo. Attendance was limited mostly to the parents of players and a handful of people who were familiar with the tournament because of their proximity to the golf course.

For the first year (2016) Line Drive Sports Marketing devised a creative approach to incorporate sponsors in the promotion of the event. Relationships were established and key market decision makers were invited to the opening ceremonies which are extraordinary. The next year Line Drive was able to secure the Valley Toyota Dealers as a title sponsor. This past year the Valley Toyota Dealers signed a three-year agreement to serve as the title sponsor of the Patriot All America while deepening their support in a big way.

Through a variety of means, notoriety and attendance continues to grow. The event expects its biggest crowds this year and is on a trajectory to take its rightful place among high profile sports opportunities in the Phoenix area.