Projo Sports Blog

If you are a golf fan, it is not good to check the news these days. The game is being hit hard by the economic problems not just in the United States, but across the world.

This week is more of the same. The Asian Tour just announced that its season-ending event in Thailand has been canceled because the sponsor, Volvo, has pulled out. Earlier in the week, the European Tour announced that the British Masters, scheduled for September, has been canceled because no sponsor can be found.

Last week, the LPGA Tour had its first mandatory players meeting since 2002 before a tournament in Kingsmill, Va. The session was described as part business meeting, part pep rally. With the number of LPGA events down, players were encouraged to do their part by being more fan-friendly and, hopefully, help attract sponsors.

There was one positive development this week. The PGA Tour said it has found a sponsor to keep alive the season-opening event at Kapalua. How did it find a sponsor in these tough times?

It went to Korea.

SBS International of Korea, a media company, signed a 10-year contract. Even on the PGA Tour, though, problems must be dealt with. The events in Phoenix, Milwaukee and one in Florida all are searching for sponsors.

The economic problems have led some to take a negative view of the game, at least in the respect that some of the money spent is just another perk for already overpaid executives. In California, there was an attempt to tax golf-related activities to raise money for battle the state's huge budge deficit.

A coalition, called the California Alliance for Golf, was put together to fight the proposal, which would have taxed greens fees, practice balls, cart rental, less and even private-club membership fees and dues.

The golf supporters were successful in defeating the measure. Still, it is a sign of the negative feelings these days an issue that those who enjoy the game must face.

 Tags  economy Paul Kenyon on Golf

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