ShopRite May Return To LPGA As Tourney Presenting Sponsor

ShopRite is “on the verge of reuniting with the LPGA, nearly four months after the event it had sponsored for 15 years folded,” according to Scott Hamilton of GOLFWEEK. A source said that ShopRite, which previously title sponsored the ShopRite LPGA Classic near Atlantic City, is “expected to sign a deal to become presenting sponsor of another New Jersey event, the Sybase Classic.” Hamilton notes the deal, “which a source said is expected to be ‘significantly higher’ than the standard presenting sponsor fee for LPGA events, will be for one year and will have multiple options for the company to keep the presenting sponsor role for two additional years.” ShopRite Classic tournament Owners Larry and Ruth Harrison “engaged in a dispute with the LPGA last summer when its traditional early June date was awarded to the new Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam.” The two sides were “unable to settle on a satisfactory replacement date on the 2007 schedule, resulting in the Harrisons choosing to end the ShopRite event.” LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens has said that the tour had “no issues with ShopRite officials and that the disagreements were only with the Harrisons” (GOLFWEEK, 2/24 issue).