FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

OREGON-NATIVE BEN CRANE JOINS UMPQUA BANK CHALLENGE MAIN FIELD

Elkington and McCarron will defend their 2011 title

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2012) – The Umpqua Bank Challenge today announced that PGA TOUR professionals Ben Crane, Steve Elkington and Scott McCarron have been confirmed for the 2012 main field..

Crane, a Portland-native and 1999 graduate of the University of Oregon, joined the PGA TOUR in 2002 after two seasons, and two wins, on the Nationwide Tour. Crane’s first PGA TOUR title came in just his second year on TOUR at the 2003 BellSouth Classic. He has since picked up three more victories, the most recent coming in 2011 at The McGladrey Classic.

 

Crane at the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

“I remember when Ben was an Oregon junior golfer and volunteered as a standard bearer at The Challenge,” said Tournament Host Peter Jacobsen. “Nothing has made me happier than to see him find success on the PGA TOUR, and I can’t wait to welcome him to this year’s Challenge as a member of the main field.”

Currently the 49th ranked player in the world, Crane has had three top-10 finishes and earned more than $1.2 million so far this year, putting him in 22nd place on the official PGA TOUR money list.

“I have great memories of attending past Challenge tournaments while growing up in Portland; said Crane. "I’m really looking forward to being a part of the event from inside-the-ropes, and helping give back to the community where I got my start in the game!”

Also joining the field, and returning to defend their 2011 title, are PGA TOUR professionals Steve Elkington and Scott McCarron. Australian-born Elkington is a 27-year member of the PGA TOUR and is the owner of 10 TOUR victories, including the 1995 PGA Championship. McCarron turned pro in 1992 and has since earned three PGA TOUR wins. The team of Elkington/McCarron won the inaugural Umpqua Bank Challenge by a 6-shot margin over the teams of John Cook/Jay Haas and Nick Price/Mark O’Meara.

Crane, Elkington and McCarron join Jacobsen, 2011 FedExCup champion Bill Haas, 36-year PGA TOUR veteran Jay Haas and 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open winner Kyle Stanley as members of the 2012 Umpqua Bank Challenge main field. The remaining players will be announced throughout the spring and summer.

Registration for the 2012 Umpqua Bank Challenge volunteer program opened March 1. The 2011 volunteer program sold out early, and several committees are already full for 2012. For the most up-to-date tournament information and news, including details on volunteering, ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.umpquabankchallenge.com or call (866) 503-2003. 

About The Umpqua Bank Challenge
The Umpqua Bank Challenge, <http://www.umpquabankchallenge.com>, is a three-day exhibition-style golf tournament set for August 26-28, 2012 at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Ore. The Umpqua Bank Challenge will include The Regence Pro-am on Sunday and the main field competition on Monday and Tuesday, where PGA TOUR and Champions Tour professionals will play a best-ball format while paired into two-person teams. Hosted by PGA TOUR professional and Portland-native Peter Jacobsen, proceeds from The Umpqua Bank Challenge will benefit the tournament’s two partner charities; Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon.

About Peter Jacobsen SPORTS
Founded in 1988, Peter Jacobsen SPORTS, LLC, <http://www.peterjacobsensports.com>, is a full-service sports and entertainment marketing firm that specializes in event sales, management and operations, sponsorship consulting and player/talent relations. The company is independently owned and has more than 20 full-time employees across two offices in Portland, Ore. and Providence, R.I. Since its inception, PJS has managed more than 250 events around the United States.

About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, <http://www.umpquabank.com>, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has locations between San Francisco and Seattle, along the Oregon and Northern California Coast, and in Central Oregon and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past five years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies To Work For.” Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua's Private Bank Division serves high net worth individuals and non-profits providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com. 

 
CONTACT:
 Amy Biery
Director of Communications
Peter Jacobsen SPORTS
503-526-9331
amy.biery@peterjacobsensports.com

 

  • Peter Jacobsen welcomes the crowds to Sunday morning's clinic
  • Jason Allred, Brian Grant and Terry Porter enjoy the show on Sunday morning
  • Terry Porter, Huey Lewis and Scott McCarron at Sunday's clinic
  • GOLF CHANNEL's Holly Sonders takes a swing for Peter and Sunday's crowd
  • Two-time World Long Drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski wows the Sunday clinic crowd
  • European Challenge Tour pro Nico Bollini shows off his Colin Montgomerie impression
  • Peter Jacobsen's infamous Craig Stadler impression
  • LPGA Futures Tour pro Perry Swenson during Sunday's Regence Pro-Am
  • Comedian Matt Griesser arrives late to Sunday's clinic
  • Guests enjoy front row seats from the 18th green private hospitality suites
  • 2011 Regence Pro-Am field of pros and celebs line the 18th green for the clinic
  • Blue skies and full bleachers for the inaugural Umpqua Bank Challenge
  • Grammy-winning musician Huey Lewis signs autographs on Sunday
  • University of Oregon men's golf coach Casey Martin on Sunday
  • PGA TOUR pro and Oregon-native Jason Allred during Sunday's Regence Pro-Am
  • The 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge main field participants
  • Holly Sonders and Arnold Palmer share a laugh during Monday's clinic
  • Jamie Sadlowski gives Matt Griesser a scare on Monday
  • Mark O'Meara and Nick Price enjoy the show during Monday's clinic
  • Jay Haas and Ben Crenshaw in stitches on Monday morning
  • Jay Haas tees off during Monday's first round
  • World Golf Hall of Fame member Ben Crenshaw during Monday's first round
  • Fuzzy Zoeller mingles with sponsors after play on Monday
  • Eventual co-champion Scott McCarron celebrates on Monday after holing a bunker shot on 18
  • Ben Crenshaw visits a private hospitality suite on Monday afternoon
  • 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge Honoree Arnold Palmer sits down with radio partner 1080 The Fan
  • Ketel One Vodka Ice Bar at the Monday Night Dinner Dance presented by Ferguson Wellman
  • Former Portland Trail Blazers Brian Grant and Jerome Kersey visit with Arnold and Kit Palmer on Monday night
  • Fan-favorite team Arnold Palmer and Peter Jacobsen make the turn on Tuesday
  • Arnold Palmer addresses the crowd after his Umpqua Bank Challenge Honoree presentation
  • Nashville's LoCash Cowboys entertain the crowd on Monday Night
  • 2011 Monday Night Dinner Dance presented by Ferguson Wellman
  • Arnold Palmer and Fuzzy Zoeller look on as Ben Crenshaw tees off on Tuesday morning
  • 2011 co-champion Scott McCarron shows off the coveted Challenge
  • Steve Elkington, Peter Jacobsen and Scott McCarron show off the official tournament trophy
  • 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge tournament staff
  • Tuesday's crowds enjoy entertainment by Design Band after play
  • Umpqua Bank Challenge fans enjoy the post-tournament party
  • Scott McCarron and Steve Elkington join the show on Tuesday after-play