Gateway Sports Pulls Plug On The Former Mich Light Classic

Gateway Sports Promotion "will not bring back" the LPGA event at Fox Run Golf Club in St. Louis in '02, according to Dan O'Neill of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Gateway Sports, which "took over management of the event" in '98, "could not nurse the event back to life after Michelob Light announced in early September that it was bowing out as title sponsor." Gateway Sports President Mark Hersch, on Michelob Light's move: "It's unfortunate, not hearing of the decision until late, and then the events of Sept. 11 didn't make it any easier for anyone." Hersch said that the "changing corporate landscape in St. Louis has changed the parameters, as well." Hersch: "A lot of those kinds of decisions aren't made in St. Louis anymore. You look at the companies that used to be here, Ralston, Jet America and now TWA, they're owned by other companies with corporate [HQs] elsewhere." But O'Neill writes Hersch "has not given up entirely on bringing the LPGA back in 2003 and beyond" (POST-DISPATCH, 12/11).

SENIOR TOUR: USA TODAY's Don Cronin notes that the Women's Senior Golf Association (WSGA) has signed a multi-year licensing deal with the LPGA that WSGA Founder Jane Blalock "hopes will give the Senior Tour credibility." Blalock plans four events on the '02 Women's Senior Golf Tour for pros 44 years and older (USA TODAY, 12/11).