Monahan said it is just a matter of time before men and women play together in an eventGETTY IMAGES
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said the Tour is "very interested" in a potential mixed event in conjunction with the LPGA, according to Ryan Herrington of GOLF DIGEST. Monahan said, “We’re very interested in getting the men and women together inside the ropes in the same week and in the same competition. I think that’s something you’ll see in the future. It’s just a matter of time. That’s really exciting and interesting.” Herrington noted exactly when the event could be held is "unclear." The Tour is "in the midst of finalizing a new PGA Tour schedule that would go into effect" for the '18-19 season. A mixed-team event has "not been a serious part of those discussions." It was "thought that the two tours could potentially combine efforts with their individual Tournament of Champions events, but the LPGA recently signed a new sponsor agreement with Diamond Resorts for its event that would prevent that from happening" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/29). Monahan: “They’re partners of ours. Generally speaking, that’s something we’d like to see" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/29). LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said there is "significant interest in developing joint events." He added there is a "team made up of representatives from both organizations who are vetting different approaches." Whan: “Personally, I don’t care if it’s a full-field official event, some kind of mixed team, or a limited-number, made-for-TV event -- as any/all would create significant fan, media, and player interest/excitement" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/27).
COMING SOON? In Detroit, Tom Lang wrote local pros are "buying into the idea" that a Quicken Loans-sponsored PGA Tour event "could materialize in the Detroit area in the near future." Golfer Tom Gillis thinks that a "potential marriage" between the Detroit-based company and Detroit Golf Club "could be on the table." Gillis said, “All the signs point to Quicken (Loans) having an impact in golf in Detroit." He added, “When I saw Quicken get attached to (The National), I felt (Quicken) would do everything they can to get it to come to Detroit. Of course, [Quicken Loans Founder & Chair] Dan Gilbert is a guy leading the revitalization in downtown Detroit, and I'm sure a PGA Tour event would add to that" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/29).
TIGER EFFECT: Quail Hollow Club President Johnny Harris said that this week's PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte was "close to selling out" before Tiger Woods committed to the event on Thursday, and in "reaction to the heightened interest, additional tickets will be placed on sale." Harris noted the club "probably had as many as 55,000 on the golf course" during the PGA Championship in August. Harris: "We don’t have any problem handling the crowd." Wells Fargo's title sponsorship contract ends after the '19 tournament, and Harris said the bank has "got to make their decisions" on whether to re-up as a sponsor. But he said he is "not worried" about potentially having to find a new sponsor for the event. Harris said, "The Quail Hollow brand has become so strong that we are contacted a lot by people who potentially want to have golf tournaments here. We work with that all the time" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 4/28).
