Wegmans LPGA Championship officials are "working to secure a more long-term future" for the event in the Rochester area, according to Randall Mell of GOLFCHANNEL.com. Sources yesterday said that Monroe Golf Club in nearby Pittsford, N.Y., is "in serious talks with Wegmans tournament officials about hosting the championship next year." Wegmans "appears to be committed to remaining a partner after operating under one-year agreements with the LPGA and Locust Hill the last two years." The supermarket chain's future with the LPGA "appeared doubtful going into last year’s event." Though no contract is in place, sources said that Monroe Golf Club and tournament officials "are hopeful a deal can be agreed upon over the next month." The negotiations include "trying to move" the tournament dates to August next year to "accommodate the U.S. Women’s Open being moved up in the LPGA schedule." LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said that all he "can report is that there’s no agreement in place with any venue to host the LPGA Championship next year." Whan has "quietly advocated tournament officials consider a rotation of sites to showcase Rochester’s rich golf community." Mell wrote LPGA players have "developed strong ties with this community over the years and should embrace news this event will remain in the area." Golfer Christina Kim said, "We love Rochester. It would be hugely important to the LPGA to keep this event. ... It would be devastating to leave here. It is such a special place. They’ve treated this place as a major since day one. I can’t fathom not being here" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 6/9).
MEETING PLANNED FOR COMING WEEKS: Tournament Dir Linda Hampton said that the event's "stakeholders planned to meet in the next few weeks to discuss" plans for next year. Hampton said that with Wegmans having "attached its brand to major status ... the company has no desire to remain title sponsor if the event were to revert to a regular tournament." Whan indicated that the possibility of that is "not in the cards anyway." GOLFWEEK's Beth Ann Baldry notes the "vibes coming from both sides seem promising as they head into negotiations in the coming weeks" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/10).
