 In 1976, Colgate assumed sponsorship of the circuit from April to November.In 1979, Avon replaced Virginia Slims as the sponsor of the winter circuit, and in its first year offered the largest prize fund for a single tournament, $100,000 for the Avon Championships, in the WTA tennis history.The "Colgate Series", renamed the "Toyota Series" in 1981, included tournaments in all parts of the world, whereas the Avon sponsored events took place solely in the US.