Mitsubishi Electric Classic Welcomes PGA TOUR Tournament Director

Officials at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions event played at TPC Sugarloaf, announced the hiring of Monte Ortel as tournament director. Ortel brings 12 years of experience to the position and most recently served as tournament director for the renowned PGA TOUR event, The Greenbrier Classic.

Ortel started as assistant tournament director in The Greenbrier Classic’s inaugural year (2010) and was promoted to tournament director in 2013. Under Ortel’s leadership, the tournament was awarded “Best in Class” and “Best Branding and Signage” from the PGA TOUR. The tournament also earned “Best Special Event” for The Greenbrier Classic Concert Series which welcomed such popular artists as Tim McGraw and The Black Eyed Peas.

“I’m excited to join the Mitsubishi Electric Classic team as we look to expand the Mitsuibishi Electric Classic audience, positively impact the community through charitable initiatives, and continue to grow this impressive tournament,” said Ortel.

“Monte’s extensive involvement with such a prestigious PGA TOUR tournament will bring exciting, new ideas to the Mitsubishi Electric Classic,” said Stan Hall, executive director, Gwinnett Sports Commission. “We’re eager to see what the future of the tournament will look like with Monte at the helm, and are pleased to welcome him to the team.”

Ortel currently serves on the West Virginia Golf Association Hall of Fame Selection Committee and previously served on the PGA TOUR Tournament Advisory Council.  

Ortel will officially begin his tenure as Mitsubishi Electric Classic’s tournament director on September 5th, 2016, replacing Elissa Dooman, who has served in the position since October 2012.

About the Mitsubishi Electric Classic: The Mitsubishi Electric Classic is an official event on the PGA TOUR Champions scheduled for April 10-16, 2017. This 54-hole stroke play golf tournament features 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals competing for a $1.8 million purse at the prestigious TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia. The event, which will benefit local charities through the Gwinnett Championship Foundation, Inc., has raised more than $1 million since its first tournament in 2013. All three official rounds will be internationally televised on the Golf Channel. For more information, visit MitsubishiElectricClassic.com.