RAYCOM TAKES OVER CHARLOTTE LPGA EVENT AFTER DELWILBER EXIT

          Raycom Sports officials confirmed Wednesday that they
     have "an agreement with the LPGA to stage, own, and operate"
     the $550,000 Fieldcrest Cannon Classic, according to Marcia
     Smith of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  The event, to be held
     September 22-28, was facing cancellation after its original
     owner and operator, DelWilber and Associates, "dissolved
     operations" August 15.  Raycom VP Ken Haines: "The
     tournament wasn't going to happen unless someone was going
     to come in from the local community and save it. We saved
     it" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/28). LPGA Commissioner Jim Ritts:
     "This is the best scenario for what was potentially a very,
     very bad situation."  Ritts also said that Raycom "could
     become involved in more" LPGA events and "might become a TV
     packager" of LPGA tournaments (USA TODAY, 8/28).