2013 Audi A3

Buick Hanging Up its Golf Clubs After 50 Years

 
5 1,052 views Aug 5, 2009
Follow Marty

2010 buick lacrosse first drive 016

Buick is leaving the PGA behind as it swings for a new clientele.

Buick is leaving the PGA behind as it swings for a new clientele.

Enlarge Photo
After fifty years of swinging together, the long-running marriage of Buick and the PGA pro golf tour is coming to an end.

Partly a victim of GM's restructuring--and also partly Buick's desire to sell more cars to younger buyers--the end of the PGA sponsorship follows on the heels of GM's split with golf legend Tiger Woods last November.

Buick had been the title sponsor for two big PGA events, the Buick Open in Michigan, and the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. And just last weekend, the Buick Open concluded with--who else?--Tiger Woods winning the GM brand's namesake tourney.

Buick's marketing efforts since GM's restructuring are in turmoil, with new marketing head and former product VP Bob Lutz coming down hard on some new navel-gazing Buick ads. While the brand looks for a new identity and a new marketing plan, there's still the possibility of a return to the sport if things don't work out quite as they hope: Buick and the PGA said in a prepared statement, "While this is disappointing news, both the PGA Tour and Buick remain in discussions regarding future sponsorship possibilities."

[AP via TheCarConnection]
First drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 buick lacrosse first drive 016




Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (5)

  1. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/5/2009 10:49am PDT

    Buick/GM doesn't need to sponsor anything but better quality cars that people actually want to buy - fortunately, the new LaCrosse and the Insignia are steps in the right direction.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. ma_m5_dude avatar m5_dude Posted: 8/5/2009 11:10am PDT

    So when did Buick figure out how to make good looking cars?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. ma_Mike avatar Mike Posted: 8/5/2009 11:39am PDT

    The difference is, 50 years ago Buick made cool cars with bold styling and powerful V8s.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. ma_secrummy avatar secrummy Posted: 8/5/2009 12:08pm PDT

    So when did Buick figure out how to make good looking cars?

    Wait a minute... Buick makes a good looking car? I must have missed that.

    As far as leaving the PGA behind, I think it's probably a mistake at this time for them, well, except that it will save some money. The execs at GM may covet younger buyers for their Buick line, but until they produce something someone under 55 would want to be seen in, they should probably have continued to advertise to the folks who actually buy their product.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/6/2009 10:32am PDT

    QUOTE=secrummy;18806...but until they produce something someone under 55 would want to be seen in, they should probably have continued to advertise to the folks who actually buy their product.

    I just turned 44, and I wouldn't be embarassed to own a 2010 LaCrosse.

    On the other hand, folks in their 50's and 60's don't pay much attention to car ads anyway - They stick with what they already know and purchase the newer version of what they're already driving, whether it be Volvo, Buick, Lincoln or Mercedes.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.