PGA Tour Dropping DC From Schedule Due To Course Renovations

TPC Avenel To Undergo Major Renovations During Hiatus From PGA Tour Schedule

The PGA Tour said that DC “will not be included on its fall schedule in 2007 because the tour plans to begin a major renovation at TPC Avenel,” according to Leonard Shapiro of the WASHINGTON POST. The renovation likely will cost around $25M. The Tour announced in January that the event would be “bumped from its regular early summer spot in the schedule,” and title sponsor Booz Allen Hamilton declined to renew its contract after the ’06 event because it was “unhappy with the schedule changes.” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem “as recently as two weeks ago ... held out the possibility that Avenel could host an event in the fall of 2007, if a new title sponsor could be found.” Kemper Sports Management President Steve Skinner, whose company runs the tournament, said that his firm’s “sponsor search will continue, but that the most realistic time frame for tournament golf to return to the [DC] area is 2009” (WASHINGTON POST, 7/7). Skinner: “The Tour is committing to the region, investing [$18-20M] in Avenel. ... I think the PGA Tour heard loud and clear from the media, fans and others that a top-level event belongs in [DC].” Finchem said, “The Tour remains committed to the [DC] market, and we look forward to returning in the future with top-level PGA Tour competition.” PGA Tour Senior VP/PR & Communications Bob Combs added, “For the next year or so, we are going to be working aggressively towards getting [Avenel] where it needs to be. After that, we will re-evaluate the future” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/7).

B.C. OPEN MOVING VENUES: The PGA Tour’s B.C. Open is being moved this year from Endicott, New York, to Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York, due to the recent floods in the Endicott area. The tournament this year will be called the B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort, and proceeds generated from the event will be distributed to local charities in Broome County, where Endicott is located (PGA Tour).