Golf: Fort Smith Classic, Celebrity Classic called off
Fort Smith Classic and Celebrity Classic have been removed from the list of fundraisers for 2011 due to lack of funds.
Philip Merry, the event manager for both the tournaments, told the press about the decision on Monday morning. He explained that none of the events was able to generate expected level of funds in 2010, as they failed to attract major sponsors. The purpose
of such events is to collect funds for local charities and provide entertainment to people residing in the area.
In 2010, the two tournaments generated more than $200,000, but it was below than the expected mark, hence the organisers decided to cancel the tournaments in 2011.
Instead, the organisers are focusing on a musical event, which according to their forecasts, would generate more money than 2010.
Merry said, “It was the perfect storm. It all hit at once. You cannot lay off, you can't freeze wages and write a six figure check in a small town like this for a golf tournament. It will happen, and it will be bigger and better. They hope to give even more
money in 2011, but through a different event. Planners are already working on a music festival that would ideally attract tourists from all over. Fort Smith will escalate and it'll be a great thing.”
According to Glee Cosner, a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the cancellation of two big events might have a negative impact on the local charities.
Glee highlighted the fact that together the events bought harmony to the needy.
He said, “It's huge for us because I know we've got 15 wishes waiting in this area right now, and at an average of $5,000 a piece. That's a lot.”
Fort Smith Classic took place under the banner of Nationwide tour at Hardscrabble Golf Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, whereas, the Celebrity Classic was held at the Fianna Hills & Eagle Crest.
Both the events invited top guns of golf, which raised the cost of inauguration. In 2010, Nathan Green won the title at Hardscrabble Golf Club and took $940,000 home, which was a huge amount for a fundraiser.
However, in 2011, the organisers want to cut on cost and focus on revenues and have therefore decided to hold a one-week long musical festival. The event will be held in September or October depending upon the approval of the board.
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