PGA Tour Weathering Economic Downturn Better Than Expected

Finchem Optimistic About Tour's Financial Situation

TROUBLED WATERS: In S.F., Ron Kroichick writes under the header, "Rough Time For LPGA Tour In U.S." Prior to Kapalua LPGA Classic organizers Tuesday canceling the tournament over the lack of a title sponsor, the LPGA schedule "already had shrunk from 33 events in 2008 to 29 this year." Most striking is the "loss of tournaments in the U.S. -- down from 24 last year to 17 this year, given this latest cutback, with more trouble looming." One tournament "in Alabama and another in New York are expected to disappear from next year's schedule," and this week's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic also "teeters on the brink." LPGA CVS Pharmacy Challenge Tournament Dir Brian Flajole: "It's scary out there. Sponsorships are down for everyone -- not just the LPGA, but across the board in golf and across the board in any sort of sports sponsorship" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/2).

FARR AND AWAY? In Toledo, Fulton, Hackenberg & Silka note the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic after this weekend "must negotiate a new contract with the LPGA under tough economic conditions." LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens Tuesday met with Owens Corning Chair & CEO Mike Thaman in Toledo, but Tournament Dir Judd Silverman said it was "just a chat, not a negotiating meeting." Silverman: "We'll start contract negotiations with the LPGA immediately following the tournament." Meanwhile, host Jamie Farr Wednesday was asked about the "future of the tournament that has sported his name since its inception in 1984." Farr: "I don't know the intricate details. But I'd say there's a 50-50 chance of the tournament being here next year" (TOLEDO BLADE, 7/2).

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