((HT: MyFoxToledo))
A struggling economy has caused organizers of the Jamie Farr golf tournament to cut back on expenses to keep the event going. It's in its 25 the year, but that's no guarantee there will be many years to come.
Other long-running LPGA tournaments have been canceled in 2009 because of budget shortfalls or sponsor pulls. This year marks the last of a contract between the women's pro golf and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger, so the tournament director has said anything is possible.
"Anytime a contract is up, there's a chance. Certainly hopeful we'll be able to negotiate a contract with the LPGA, and keep the tourney coming to Northwest Ohio," Judd Silverman said.
Because of the stagnant American and global recession, many LPGA sanctioned tournaments have been canceled this year. The Corning Classic in Corning, NY, held its 31st annual tournament in May 18-24. Before the event started, tournament officials said the 2009 event would be its last.
Corning Classic tournament officials in New York said it tried to secure new major sponsors the past few years, but were unsuccessful. Glass and ceramics maker Corning Inc. has been the tournament sponsor at the Corning County Club since its inception in 1979, but Corning has laid off 3,500 employees and 1,400 contractors since January, according to the Associated Press report.
According to the LPGA, The Corning Classic is the fifth tournament lost by the LPGA since the end of the 2008 season - The Fields Open in Hawaii, the Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika and the SemGroup Championship in Tulsa; Bell Micro Classic (will return in 2010), and the ADT Championship (return in 2010 with new sponsor).
Silverman said he's encouraged that he hasn't heard any concerns from either Owens Corning or Kroger about sponsoring the event in 2010. He says their sponsorship is the foundation of the golf tournament and without their support, it would be very difficult to hold another Jamie Farr Classic.
Many of the players say they would hate to see this stop in their tour die. Fifth-year LPA tour pro Brittany Lincicome ((pictured, thanks MyFoxToledo)) has competed at Highland Meadows in Sylvania since 2005. She said loves it here and enjoys the golf course.
"There's great people around here, great food, good fun," Lincicome said. "It's great coming to Toledo, so obviously if it doesn't come back, we'd be really disappointed. So hopefully, let's keep our fingers crossed."
"This is our third year of a three-year contract deal with the LPGA, so as soon as this tourney gets over we'll sit down with the LPGA and talk about the future," Silverman added.
An LPGA representative at the course on Tuesday would not comment on the pending contract negotiations.
In seeking comment, Scott Deitz, spokesman for Owens Corning, told FOX Toledo News his company will not consider sponsorship for 2010 until this year's tournament ends.
Beth Wilken, Kroger spokesperson, said the grocery store chain plans to be involved in the Jamie Farr golf tournament in some way in 2010, but just won't know to what degree until contract negotiations are complete.
MyFoxToledo's Kristi Leigh was at the course...
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