SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Thunderbirds and title sponsor FBR have committed to a four-year extension of the investment bank’s title sponsorship of the FBR Open through 2012.

“We are thrilled to have FBR on board for another four years as our title sponsor,” said Thunderbirds Big Chief Pat McGinley. “From a tournament perspective, FBR has been an outstanding partner. More importantly, FBR has had a huge impact on this community."

McGinley said since October 2003, when FBR became the title sponsor, the tournament has raised more than $25 million for charities, including $7.8 million in 2007, the highest single-season amount ever announced on the PGA TOUR.

In addition, the 2007 FBR Open pumped over $180 million into Arizona’s economy, McGinley said.

As the title sponsor, FBR will continue to be the primary television advertiser on the network broadcast.

"The FBR Open has been a very important component of growing our brand and building important customer relationships," said Eric Billings, Chairman and CEO, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. “When you can top it all off by giving significant monies to charity, it makes the return from our involvement an even better one."

PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said FBR has had a tremendous impact on the tournament and its charitable outreach in working with the Thunderbirds.

"Now, in addition to claiming the biggest galleries each year on TOUR, the FBR Open has the distinction of becoming a leader in charitable giving," Finchem said. "We are proud of the outstanding work FBR and the Thunderbirds have done."

FBR’s original five-year agreement was signed in October 2003. It marked the first time The Thunderbirds had invited a national corporation to become a title sponsor in the event.