Daytona Beach, Fla., January 6, 2000 – State Farm Insurance Companies, title sponsor of the State Farm Rail Classic in Springfield, Ill., is the newest marketing partner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association(lpga). The new State Farm – LPGA relationship, a multi-year agreement, is far reaching. State Farm is: * The new title sponsor of the State Farm LPGA Series, the nine-event television series on ESPN and ESPN2 noe entring its third year; * yearlong sponsor of the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary; * a founding sponsor of www.lpga.com, the LPGA’s Web site; * the exclusive insurance television sponsor of the 2000 and 2002 Solheim Cups and the 2000- 2002 PageNet Championships. “State Farm is pleased to extend our relationship with the LPGA through the State Farm LPGA Series. The popularity of the LPGA and State Farm’s commitment to women’s athletics make this a truly unique partnership,” said Jack North, State Farm senior vice president. “We’re proud of our nearly decade long association with women’s professional golf and look forward to the State Farm LPGA Series playing an integral part in another exciting LPGA seson.” The State Farm LPGA Series is a sponsored television series that features coverage of nine LPGA events on ESPN and ESPN2. The nine events in the 2000 State Farm LPGA Series are: The Office Depot, Jan. 14-16; Standard Register PING, Mar.16-19; Chick-fil-A-Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez, April 28-30; Wegmans Rochester International, June 8-11; Shoprite LPGA Classic, June 30-July 2; Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, July 28-30; Michelob Light Classic, Aug.4-6; du Maurier Classic, Aug. 10-13; and State Farm Rail Classic, Sept. 2-4. In addition to title sponsorship, State Farm also has advertising exclusivity within the series and will receive a specified number of advertising spots, billboards and special features throughtout the telecasts. The Bloomington, Ill. – based company has also retained category exclusivity as a television sponsor of the 2000 and 2002 Solheim Cups, a position it has held since 1994 (the first year The Solheim Cup was televised on NBC). The Solheim Cup is a Ryder Cup-style event held every two years that features the top U.S. – born players from the LPGA against the top European-born players of the Ladies European Tour (LET). Since its inception in 1990, The Solheim Cup has grown into women’s golf’s preeminent international competition. The 2000 Solheim Cup in Oct. 6-8 at Loch Lomond Golf Club, located outside Glasgow, Scotland, with the 2002 Solheim Cup slated for Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn. The 2000 Solheim Cup will be televised on NBC and a cable partner in the United States. State Farm is also a television sponsor of the PageNet Championship, the Tour’s season-ending tournament for the next three years. “Through the State Farm Rail Classic, the LPGA and State Farm have built a strong relationship, and this national partnership exemplifies State Farm’s commitment to women’s sports in general,” said Ty M. Votaw, commissioner of the LPGA. “State Farm’s involvement touches the entire spectrum of the association, from support of our yearlong 50th anniversary celebration to the State Farm LPGA Series, which has grown in popularity with each telecast, to the LPGA’s official Web site to tournament television advertising. This is going to be an excellent partnership for both of us, and it is a great way to start the new century.” As a founding sponsor of the LPGA’s Web site, State Farm will have a prominent presence throughout the site, including coverage of the State Farm LPGA Series and on the special 50th anniversary portion of the site. State Farm will also be involved in all of the LPGA’s activities for the 50th anniversary. State Farm is a co-presenting sponsor of the LPGA Night of Champions, a black-tie gala on January 10th at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. The LPGA Night of Champions will not only recognize the 1999 LPGA award winners, but also serve as the official start to the LPGA’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration. The evening will focus on saluting the LPGA’s 13 founders and the women who helped build the Tour during the 1950s and 1960s. A number of the other events and festivities will be held throughout the year. State Farm is a leader in the sponsorship of women’s sports. In addition to women’s golf, State Farm also sponsors figure skating and women’s basketball, volleyball and tennis. State Farm was one of the first company’s to use women’s sports as a marketing vehicle. In 1993, State Farm made its first venture into women’s sports marketing when it became the title sponsor of the State Farm Rail Classic, which has raised more than $1.5 million for various charities. States Farm has already committed its sponsorship through 2003. State Farm is the largest insurer of cars and homes in the United States and is also a leading life insurance company. The oldest, longest-running women’s sports association in the world, the LPGA ia a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA’s membership includes both touring and teaching golf professionals. Featuring the world’s best women golfers, players on the LPGA Tour in 2000 will compete for more money per tournament than ever before. Through its tournaments, the LPGA has generated more than $110 million for charities since 1981. The LPGA is also committed to advancing women, youth and the sport of golf through expanding the programs of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) Division, as well as increasing contributions of the organization and its tournaments to charity. For Further Information Contact: Leslie King, LPGA – +1 904 274 6270 Mark Gibson, State Farm – +1 309 766 2130