2002 Canon Greater Hartford Open to be Canon's Final Year as Title Sponsor; Canon and Greater Hartford Jaycees Raise Tournament Purse Nearly 25% Percent to $4 Million.

Sports Editors/Golf Writers & Columnists

HARTFORD, Conn. and LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BW SportsWire)--August 27, 2001

The Greater Hartford Jaycees and Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced today that the 2002 Canon Greater Hartford Open (Canon GHO) will be the final year that Canon will participate as the title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event.

Canon and the Jaycees also finalized plans to raise the purse of the 2002 Canon GHO from $3.1 million in 2001 to $4 million, ensuring the tournament remains one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR. Additionally, Canon will explore opportunities for continuing the company's relationship with the tournament and the Hartford community beyond next year.

Canon's 18-year partnership with the Canon GHO - which began in 1985 - ranks as the sixth-longest running title sponsor/event relationship in professional golf. One of the premier sporting events in New England, the Canon GHO is the second-most attended PGA TOUR event, attracting more than 275,000 spectators annually. Millions more watch the tournament on television in the U.S. and abroad.

"Canon has been a wonderful partner, helping the Jaycees contribute over $23 million to the Greater Hartford area in the form of community programs, grants and scholarships," said Teresa M. Saulter, President of the Greater Hartford Jaycees. "Canon's support has elevated the tournament to a new level, and we look forward to building on this tradition with a new title sponsor."

Over the period of Canon's title sponsorship, the Canon Greater Hartford Open has achieved marked increases in attendance, sponsorship, community involvement and donations to numerous charities supported by the Greater Hartford Jaycees.

"Canon is proud of its long and rewarding relationship with the Greater Hartford Jaycees and the tournament, which is why this was such a difficult business decision," said Kinya Uchida, President and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We remain committed to our partnership with the Jaycees and to improving the lives of the people who've welcomed us into their community for the past two decades."

According to the PGA TOUR, corporations continually make inquiries about the availability of title sponsorship opportunities. The Greater Hartford Jaycees will begin work immediately, with assistance from the PGA TOUR, on securing a new title sponsor for the 2003 tournament.

"The PGA TOUR thanks Canon for its long-term sponsorship of the Canon Greater Hartford Open," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Timothy W. Finchem. "For 18 years, Canon's support enabled the tournament to continue to grow and prosper."

"Given the enthusiasm of the Connecticut fans and sponsors, the Greater Hartford Jaycees and Governor John Rowland, we are confident about the prospects for identifying a new tournament sponsor," Finchem continued. "PGA TOUR golf has never enjoyed a stronger fan base than it does today, and we are confident that the tremendous fan and corporate support the Canon GHO enjoys in Connecticut and New England will enable the tournament to extend its 50-year relationship with PGA TOUR golf for many years to come."

"As the only PGA TOUR stop in New England and the premier annual sporting event in Connecticut, the outlook is positive that a corporation will link its name with an event as rich in history as the Canon GHO," said Dan Baker, Canon GHO Tournament Director.

The 2001 Canon Greater Hartford Open - which marked the 50th Anniversary of the event - was one of the most memorable in the history of the tournament, featuring a thrilling, one-shot victory by Phil Mickelson, the return of former champions Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino in the Pro-Am, and a crowd of more than 318,000 fans.

"The Canon GHO has a long tradition of large and enthusiastic galleries, friendly volunteers and a challenging golf course", said 2001 Canon GHO Champion Phil Mickelson. "I am proud to have won the 50th Anniversary Canon GHO. The strong commitment that Canon and the Jaycees have made to this tournament has placed it as one of the premier golf events on the PGA TOUR. The tournament should continue to be very successful in bringing the best professional golfers to Connecticut and New England."

Governor John G. Rowland (R-Conn.) has expressed his interest in assisting with the efforts of identifying a new title sponsor for the tournament.

"The Canon Greater Hartford Open is a fixture on the summer schedules of hundreds of thousands of golf fans from the state of Connecticut and throughout all of New England," said Governor Rowland. "Thanks to the efforts of the Greater Hartford Jaycees, the support of Canon U.S.A., and all of the corporate sponsors, the tournament has experienced great success over the years. That success is the greatest asset of the Canon GHO and will be instrumental in attracting a new title sponsor."

The 2002 Canon Greater Hartford Open is scheduled for June 17-23, 2002.

About The Greater Hartford Jaycees

The Canon Greater Hartford Open is the sole fundraiser of the Greater Hartford Jaycees. The Jaycees channel those funds back into the community to improve the lives of those most in need by feeding the hungry, building affordable housing, helping children and much more. The Greater Hartford Jaycees is an organization of approximately 600 volunteers, ages 21-39, which promotes leadership training through community service.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.