PGA Tour Milwaukee Stop Now Likely Doomed

As we keep on rolling on the business front today, I wanted to post an item that I saw yesterday on my BlackBerry.  (But since I can't post from my BlackBerry, I couldn't do anything about it.)

It appears that whatever secret, magical plan that Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker had to save the Milwaukee PGA Tour stop has failed.  Yesterday, organizers of the event now known as the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee have shuddered and closed up shop.  The tournament was conducting a frenetic search for a new title sponsor after US Bank said they would not return for 2010.

Though the PGA Tour released a statement with a sentiment that the tournament could be resumed in 2011, this news likely means the death of a tour stop with four decades of history. 

Provided that this event was scheduled opposite the Open Championship, title sponsorship at premium PGA Tour rates is tough to sell for the Tour and tougher to justify for sponsors.  Perhaps were this event to assume a place on the schedule as a standalone event, it could come back soon.