LPGA's Michelob Ultra Open Will Not Return in 2010
by Bill Jempty on Sep 21, 2009 2:01 PM EDT
8 comments
A few years ago this tournament was being talked up as perhaps being given major championship status, but now will not be on next year's schedule.
The LPGA's Michelob Ultra Open -- the largest professional sporting event in Hampton Roads -- will not return to Kingsmill, it was announced at noon today at the James City County resort.
Kingsmill has hosted the Michelob Ultra Open each May since 2003, to rave reviews from players and spectators. But the economic downturn and the merger of sponsoring Anheuser-Busch with Belgium-based InBev led to the tournament's demise.
Anheuser-Busch has bankrolled a professional tournament at Kingsmill each year since 1981. The PGA Tour played there for 22 consecutive years, ending in 2002, when the brewery opted to support the less expensive LPGA Tour.
"The decision was very, very difficult, but it was done with due diligence," said Dan McHugh, Anheuser-Busch vice president of media sponsorship and activation. "We analyzed the past tournament and storied history at Kingsmill over the last 29 years."
Eric Albrecht, the LPGA's vice president of marketing, called the decision "very disappointing."
All parties did not rule out Kingsmill hosting a tournament in the future with a different sponsor. But it won't happen in 2010.
This news shows the LPGA is still on shaky footing despite the recent good news concerning Wegmans and the Jamie Farr. Acting Commissioner Evans still has a lot of work to do.
As an aside, here's something I noticed in the article:
The Michelob quickly earned the label "fifth major" among LPGA players for the quality of course and organization. The event produced marquee champions such as Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam, Suzann Pettersen and Crisite Kerr (twice).
Why isn't Grace Park listed as a marquee champion? She has six LPGA wins, including a major. That is exactly the same record for Suzann Pettersen. Pettersen was once #2 in the world. Park was in the top 5 - 3rd or 4th at least. Park won the Vare Trophy, Pettersen did not. The case is clear: Park and Pettersen are equals.
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Hmm – with so many Koreans winning – how about picking up a champagne company as sponsor since they douse the winner in a couple bottles of bubbly after every win ? Has to smell better than a couple of cans of Michelob Ultra. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Sep 21, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Grace Park
Why isn’t Grace Park listed as a marquee champion. She has six LPGA wins, 1 major. That is exactly the same record for Suzann Pettersen. Pettersen was once #2 in the world, Park was in the top 5, 3rd or 4th at least. Park won the Vare Trophy, Pettersen did not. The case is clear- Park and Pettersen are equals.
This is probably because Petterson is younger and has possibly not even reached her prime. Unfortunately, Grace Park has a better chance of winning the lottery than winning an LPGA event any time soon.
It’s a shame because Grace had the game, looks & persona to be one of the faces of the tour.
by MattSpence on Sep 21, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
exactly – it’s a “what have you done for me lately” business, and unfortunately, Grace’s back has kept her on the sidelines for too many seasons. (I STILL want one of those Nike marketing posters of Grace Park)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Sep 21, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
It’s what have you done lately, but if that was true for any journalism, The Tom Kites, Hale Irwins, Greg Normans, wouldn’t be marquee winners any more either. What have they done lately? The article was just plain bad journalism on the tournament’s history.
by Bill Jempty on Sep 21, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are some pretty lofty names to put a 6 time winner against. Even Hale Irwin. Thing is – their careers had a lot more highs and they didn’t finish on the DL. Tom Kite won a US Open at Pebble Beach. Hale Irwin dominated the Seniors well into his 60’s. They retired on their own terms – not due to a bad back. It’s tough comparing men’s and women’s golf that way.
The men’s game has a lot more heritage and big name appeal through its history. The women just don’t have that many names people recognize.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Sep 21, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Darned! It’s unlikely I’d ever get to see a tournament at Kingsmill in person, but I really enjoy watching on television. The par-3 17th along the James River and the risk-reward 18th across the water have been really entertaining. I hope a suitable sponsor is found soon.
Truth has a well-known liberal bias.
by dianemarie on Sep 21, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It is probably a good thing because
Michelob Ultra Light has been watered down for years.
...from the land of pleasant living, Baltimore.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Sep 21, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d say that Park has peaked and her career in on the decline. Can’t really say that about Suzann, so I think that’s probably why Park got left out.
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 21, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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