PGA Golfer Wears Love for Saint Arnold Beer on His Sleeve - Literally
Houstonian Roland Thatcher Returns to Pick Up a Keg and Play at Shell Houston Open
HOUSTON, April 1, 2008 - Tiger Woods may be among the wealthiest athletes in the world, but Roland Thatcher will never go thirsty. A PGA golfer and Houston native, Thatcher has an unusual sponsorship deal with Saint Arnold Brewing Company (www.saintarnold.com) that doesn't involve money. Instead, in exchange for displaying a Saint Arnold logo on his sleeve, Thatcher's kegerator never runs out of beer -- just like Saint Arnold of Metz, whose miraculous mug never ran dry.
ESPN calls it, "...perhaps the most unique sponsorship deal in professional golf."
Saint Arnold Brewing is the oldest craft brewery in Texas and has been a Thatcher favorite since getting out of college. As he returns to Houston for the Shell Houston Open this week, the Saint Arnold brew crew is preparing for fulfill their part of the bargain.
"I'm thrilled to have such a unique relationship with Saint Arnold Brewing Company," said Thatcher. "This is a special week with the Shell Houston Open in town and I look forward to doing everything I can on the golf course to try and win."
In his eighth year as a pro, this is Thatcher's second year in the PGA. He already has one top 10 finish and has made the cut four times in 2008.
"Roland will have a busy week, but we expect him to squeeze in a visit to the brewery for a fresh keg of Saint Arnold beer for his kegerator," said Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing. "We weren't out there looking for professional athletes to sponsor, but Roland loved our beer and we quickly became big fans of his."
Perhaps thanks to Thatcher's shirt sleeve, Saint Arnold Brewing continues to experience rapid growth, with sales for the first two months of 2008 up 50 percent over the same period last year.
Editor's Note: A photo of Brock Wagner sitting in the brewery's tasting room is available for download at http://www.dpkpr.com/files/56"Arial">About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing's ten brews are made and sold by the company's staff of 21 dedicated employees. The brewery was listed by USA Today as one of the "10 great places to see what's brewing in beer." It is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive and its brewery tour and tasting is offered every Saturday at 1:00 P.M. For more information on Saint Arnold's five year-round and five seasonal beers as well as root beer, log on to www.saintarnold.com.