The extension doesn't specify whether the Zurich Classic will remain at TPC LouisianaGETTY IMAGES
Zurich Insurance has renewed its entitlement of the PGA Tour event in New Orleans by seven years after officials found the new team format to be a "resounding success," according to Ron Higgins of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Zurich became title sponsor in '05, and this renewal goes through '26. Tournament Dir Steve Worthy said that the extension "doesn't specify whether the Zurich Classic will remain" at TPC Louisiana, but he "didn't foresee a move anytime soon" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/30). PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said that Zurich's commitment is "even stronger now." In Baton Rouge, Sheldon Mickles writes the insurer's renewed commitment "comes at a time when there have been problems with title sponsors on the PGA Tour." The event at Colonial in Ft. Worth "won't have an official title sponsor next month," but Charles Schwab "will step in as Colonial's sponsor" beginning in '19. This year's Houston Open also was "played with no title sponsor," as Shell took its name off the tournament after 26 years (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 4/30).
SWING MUSIC: Worthy, whose event also allowed player walk-up music for the first time this year, said of the experiment, "Talking to players last night and this morning, I think they've enjoyed it." Worthy: "It's something new and different. It allows them to show their personality. ... We've already attracted some people who aren't core golf fans, and that's a wonderful thing for us." Monahan said, "You'll see this event continue to grow and improve and get even stronger" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/29). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Ryan Lavner wrote the 10 seconds of walk-up music was a "good start for Tour types that are resistant to change, but the latest iteration of the Zurich Classic was awkward." Lavner: "Embrace it fully, or it'll continue to feel like the Tour is trying too hard to be hip" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/29). As part of a GOLF.com roundtable, Sean Zak wrote the highlights of the Zurich Classic "seemed a bit gimmicky and not exactly lively." It seemed like the players "enjoyed the creativity, though, so hopefully they'll double down on the excitement next time." Josh Sens wrote it is better to "try to jolt some life into the event than to settle for being another in a long list of low-wattage tournaments." Dylan Dethier gave the tournament "props for trying and fun to watch, although the whole walk-up thing felt awkward at points." Michael Bamberger wrote the event's format is "so good and so rooted in golf it really doesn't need anything else" (GOLF.com, 4/29). GOLFWEEK.com's Dan Kilbridge wrote the addition of walk-up music "proved anti-climactic and didn't really add much, but it generated even more positive buzz in the days leading up" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/29). New Orleans-based WVUE-Fox' Garland Gillen tweeted, "The walkup music was a fantastic idea" (TWITTER.com, 4/30).
PERFECT PARTNERS: Zurich North America CEO Kathleen Savio said, "One of the things we like about this tournament is the team format. For us, it's about how we are and how we work in order to work side-by-side with out customers to ensure that we're helping to protect them from risk." Monahan said, "When you think about Zurich has brought to this event, you think about a company that is engaged in all facets of the event and that's reflected in the change to team format and reflected in the energy we have on the first tee with the walk-up music" ("Zurich Classic of New Orleans," CBS, 4/29). Former NFLer Zach Strief: "Leave it to New Orleans to make golf a party. @Zurich_Classic is simply the most fun PGA stop of the year for players. Other places more famous with more tradition, but players love a break from the regular I’m sure. Bravo to all involved."
