HOUSTON (AP) Shell Oil Co. has decided not to extend its title sponsorship of the Houston Open after next year.
The tournament director for the Shell Houston Open said Wednesday the decision was based on the company's business environment. Parent company Royal Dutch Shell PLC has cut more than 10,000 jobs around the world over the last two years during a downturn in the energy business. It also recently acquired BG PLC.
Shell has been the title sponsor since 1992. The tournament has raised more than $60 million for local charities.
The Houston Business Journal obtained an internal memo to employees from the Shell Oil President Bruce Culpepper about ending the title sponsorship after 2017.
The tournament has attracted a strong field since 2007 when it was played a week before the Masters.
