Stephens Inc. agrees to sponsor LPGA Tour rookie, former UA All-American Brooke Matthews

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 1,436 views 

Little Rock-based financial services firm Stephens Inc. has added to its roster of sponsored professional golfers.

The company announced Thursday (Jan. 27) a sponsorship agreement with LPGA Tour rookie and former University of Arkansas All-American Brooke Matthews. As part of the agreement, the Stephens logo will appear on Matthews’ golf apparel during tournament play through 2024.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Matthews joins fellow LPGA Tour professionals Stacy Lewis, Gaby Lopez and Maria Fassi, PGA Tour professionals Austin Cook, Andrew Landry, David Lingmerth and Taylor Moore and PGA Tour Champions pro Dicky Pride as Stephens brand ambassadors. All but Pride played collegiately for the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

“It’s been a goal of mine since my childhood to play for the University of Arkansas, and now I am excited to compete at the highest level on the LPGA Tour,” Matthews said in a statement. “Stephens is very supportive of many professional golfers that hail from the University of Arkansas, and I’m honored to partner with them as one of their global brand ambassadors. Stephens is everything I look for in a sponsor as we share many goals and values. Golf is a game of integrity and trust, key components to Stephens’ business philosophy. I’m thrilled to be part of their team and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Matthews, a Rogers native, secured her LPGA status for 2022 through the LPGA Qualifying Series and turned professional in December 2021. She won four tournaments in college and is a two-time Arkansas state amateur champion (2019 and 2020).

Matthews holds the NCAA record for the lowest 54-hole score at 25-under-par at the 2021 Cougar Classic. She also competed on the LPGA Tour as an amateur at the 2020 and 2021 Walmart NWA Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, her home course.

“It is an exciting time in golf as there is so much emerging talent, which is certainly exemplified in the LPGA,” said Warren Stephens, Chairman, President and CEO of Stephens. “As a player who represents the best of the sport, we are thrilled to have Brooke as our newest brand ambassador. We know that she will bring the highest level of professionalism, passion, and, most importantly to us at Stephens, sportsmanship to each round she plays. We look forward to being a part of her professional career.”