The PGA Tour still needs to resolve "significant
scheduling and sponsorship questions" for the '99 season,
"issues it had hoped to settle by the end of May," according
to Dave Shedloski of GOLFWEEK. The most "potentially
volatile" discussions involve two Hawaii events, to be
carried in prime time by ESPN. The original schedule had
Mercedes sponsoring a season-opening tournament of champions
at an undetermined site, followed by the Lincoln-Mercury
Kapalua Open. Tour sources say it is now considering
Kapalua for the Mercedes event, followed by an event at
Waialae Country Club. Shedloski adds that Lincoln-Mercury,
sponsor of the Kapalua since '92, "would be displaced as a
result but would likely be offered sponsorship at Waialae.
Or it may be steered to the Memorial Tournament, where it
already has a presence" and where presenting sponsor Dean
Witter "may be on the way out" (GOLFWEEK, 8/9).
WORLD-WIDE EXPOSURE: Another "key" issue involves the
World Championship Series, which comprises three events in
'99 and four starting in 2000. Sources say the Tour "is not
inclined to have sponsors for these events," which "directly
affects" Andersen Consulting and NEC, title sponsors of The
World Championship of Golf and World Series of Golf,
respectively, both to become WCS events. Shedloski reports
sources who claim that, to keep both sponsors, "who badly
want to retain title," the Tour "is likely to offer them a
sponsorship position in each of the WCS events," which would
provide a "high profile in golf and a global marketing reach
for the two companies" (GOLFWEEK, 8/9 issue).
