Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore., "in a dramatic 1-2 punch" has proposed to host the LPGA '17 Safeway Classic and '17 Solheim Cup events "on its two terrific Bob Cupp tracks -- Ghost Creek and Witch Hollow," according to GOLFWEEK's Forecaddie. There was a "meeting of the minds last week during the Safeway Classic and the obvious questions arose: Are there enough volunteers? Would fans come out two weeks in a row? Would the Solheim still be special if players already were on property at a regular tour stop?" The Safeway Classic's contract is "up for renewal," and the tournament has "operated four consecutive years under a one-year contract." The LPGA "won't make a decision" on the Solheim Cup until '13. The Inverness Golf Club in Denver, Co., host of four U.S. Opens, two U.S. Senior Opens, two PGA Championships and a U.S. Amateur "also is interested" (GOLFWEEK, 8/24 issue).
SAFEWAY ON THE FAIRWAY? In Portland, Mike Tokito noted the '12 Safeway Classic finished "without a sponsor secured for the next year." The grocery store chain has been the "title sponsor or co-sponsor for 17 years." Tournament Golf Foundation officials said that they "feel good about the case they can make to lure Safeway back." TGF President Tom Maletis said, "I think we're one of the top organizations running a tournament, obviously the field speaks for itself, the course speaks for itself, and the schedule is great. I feel optimistic because we're offering them everything a sponsor wants. If it's something other than that, then that's something I can't control." Safeway Northwest Division President Steve Frisby said, "We're proud to be a part of it. We've been a part of it for 17 years. We'll see where we go." Maletis said that TGF's "goal is to secure a multiple-year deal with Safeway" (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/20).
