Grand Slam of Golf leaving for Bermuda- Who cares?
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Bill Jempty | Thursday, December 7, 2006 |
From AP-
HONOLULU – The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is leaving one island for another.
The PGA of America said Wednesday the tournament is leaving Poipu Bay in Hawaii for the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, the first time in its 24-year history that it will be played outside the United States.
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The Grand Slam pits the winners of the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and the British Open in a made-for-TV showdown.
The tournament began in 1979 at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., and moved to Minnesota, Florida, Illinois and California before stopping at Poipu Bay for the last 12 years.
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State tourism liaison Marsha Wienert said it was a business decision by the PGA to move the event. The state had paid the PGA about $250,000 annually to host and market the Grand Slam, with about half going to the PGA.
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The loss is a financial blow for Kauai. The Grand Slam is the island’s sole major sports event and generates more than $2.4 million in visitor spending and $150,000 in tax revenues. The tournament also helps market the island to a worldwide television audience as a golf and tourist destination.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, said she was “extremely disappointed” with the move, but proud of the work the people have done in hosting the event.
Other than residents of and businesses on Kauai, I doubt anyone will notice this news. I’m a hardcore fan of professional golf but have had little interest in the Grand Slam.(I can’t recall the last time I watched it.). This event constitutes part of golf’s Silly Season and much like exhibition events in other sports, generates more hype than actual interest.
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