Saturday, September 26, 2009

¿25 events?


This week it was announced that the Michelob Ultra Open won't comeback next year. Zayra Calderon, , assured that there's no place neither for panic nor for exageration; she's confident that next year's schedule will be better than everyone expected and it may include 25 events.


Never the less, the feat seems kind of complicated, not to say impossible, and if by any means Calderon and other LPGA executives manage to have a 20+ schedule it might be one of the most incredible strategic and business moves for the tour.


Losing the "fifth major" of the season wasn't a pleasant news to anybody , and even when there are rumors which assure that the LPGA Championship already has a sponsor for 2010, the name won't be released just yet.


The only good news is that a new event has already committed to debut in next year's schedule, and there's a 75% chance that another one does the same, but as you might imagine, there are no further details.
The view is better now, even when the tour has only secured 18 tournaments for 2010, there are 6 more that are still in negotiation, plus one that is practically in. Some of the tournaments that are barely hanging:
  • HSBC Women's Champions.
  • Samsung World Championship.
  • Evian Masters.
The only sure thing is that crisis is harsh and is impacting golf even more than it was expected.

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