Chevron Will No Longer Title Sponsor Tiger Woods' World Challenge

Chevron has decided "not to renew its title sponsorship" of the Chevron World Challenge, according to Bob Buttitta of the VENTURA COUNTY STAR. Chevron had been the title sponsor "for four years, but tournament director Greg McLaughlin said the company has decided to go in another direction with regard to its charity contributions." McLaughlin said, "Their marketing strategies changed with what they wanted to do. We understood. We appreciated all they did." Buttitta notes the tournament, which is hosted by Tiger Woods, "has had three title sponsors, starting with Williams in 1999," followed by Target and Chevron. McLaughlin said that he is "confident that they will find a new corporate sponsor." McLaughlin added that in the meantime, Sherwood Country Club "has extended its contract to host the tournament through 2016" (VENTURA COUNTY STAR, 12/5). GOLF WORLD's Ron Sirak reports there "have been talks with potential sponsors and that there is a 'high probability' the event will be back for a 14th season." The fact that Woods won the event yesterday "certainly enhances those chances." Woods is "reclaiming his game" on the course, and "finding a replacement for Chevron would be an indication he is regaining his clout off the course as well" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 12/5).

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR: Tournament Golf Foundation announced that the dates for the '12 LPGA Safeway Classic have been set for Aug. 13-19. This will be the 17th year with Safeway as the title sponsor of the event and the 41st year the LPGA has held a tournament in Portland, Ore. (LPGA). In Portland, Mike Tokito noted the "one-year extension will get TGF through the 2012 tournament." TGF President Tom Maletis said that the company "will meet with Safeway officials next year, probably before the event, to discuss the tournament's future beyond 2012." Maletis said, "Our goal is to sit down a little earlier and hammer out a longer-term agreement. That's what we both want to do." The tournament's purse "will remain at $1.5 million for the third consecutive year after it was dropped from the $1.7 million it was at from 2007 to 2009." Tokito noted the Safeway Classic is the "oldest continuously-run regular tournament on the LPGA Tour." Safeway President of Marketing Michael Minasi said, "The Safeway Classic provides our company with unique marketing opportunities with our customers and suppliers" (Portland OREGONIAN, 12/4).