LPGA and local tournament officials are "confident" the Wegmans LPGA Championship, which was contested outside Rochester, N.Y., this weekend, will take place there "long after" next year's event, according to Sal Maiorana of the ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE. The '12 tournament marks the end of a two-year deal, and tournament co-Chair Jerry Stahl said, "We'll be lobbying hard for a longer extension." LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan said that he is "not 'shopping the LPGA Championship' which indicates that he wants to get an agreement done with Rochester." Whan added that "talks about a contract extension have taken place periodically, and they will continue." Meanwhile, Stahl confirmed that the LPGA would like to move the tournament "up a week or two so it can better space out its major tournaments." However, Maiorana notes that "could be a sticking point ... in the negotiations" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 6/27). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Randall Mell cited sources as saying that "discussions have included exploring the possibility of moving the LPGA Championship to Rochester Country Club, or rotating among venues, including an attempt to work historic Oak Hill, Rochester Country Club and Locust Hill into a rotation." However, the "major downside is the risk of messing with a highly successful formula in a fan-favorite venue," as Locust Hill is a "valued LPGA staple" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 6/25).
THEIR OWN WATERLOO: GOLFWEEK's Beth Ann Baldry reported the LPGA tomorrow will "announce a new tournament" that will take place in Waterloo, Ontario. Canadian financial-services company Manulife Financial "will serve as sponsor" of the tournament, which will "be played in June, possibly after the Wegmans LPGA Championship, which could move to an earlier date." The event "will be held at Grey Silo Golf Club" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/26).
