Return of The Heritage on the PGA TOUR doubtful in 2012
The Heritage is unlikely to continue on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) TOUR due to lack of title sponsorship and a financial crisis. The event is sponsor-less after Verizon withdrew their sponsorship from the US $5.7 million event. Verizon was
serving as the events title sponsor for the past 25 years, in 2010. The tournament director, Steve Wilmot, was confident about pursuing the event, with or without any sponsorship, in 2011 but the circumstances have changed drastically this year.
The tournament management is in dire need of sponsorship to carry on the event but the PGA TOUR has been unable to find a replacement yet which puts the prestigious event, with a rich history dating back to 1969, in dire straits. “We're approaching the 12th
hour. There is a sense of urgency here," Wilmot said, "We know we have the support of the players, I've had to keep up on my blood pressure medicine.”
The PGA TOUR vice-president, Ty Votaw, also finds it vital to gather funds for the event at the Harbour Town Golf Links designed by Pete Dye. "It's imperative for the long-term future of the event to secure a title sponsor,” Votaw said, "There will be a
deadline eventually -- that will have to happen -- but it's not productive to talk about it today," Votaw confirmed of the fierce efforts in the right direction to make sure that the 43rd Heritage Open would not be the last. The Heritage officials
have setup a meeting with the PGA TOUR authorities regarding the event."Those conversations are continuing, and we hope to be able to make a lot of people happy over the next several weeks if those conversations continue in the manner in which they have to
date," he said. "We want to come back here because it is a special place."
The event is receiving enough support from local bodies to ensure the 2011 event, despite the estimated need of US $7.6 million for the event. The Local Heritage Classic Foundation has raised US $4 million whereas the Town of Hilton Head has assured US $1
million, if sponsorship is not initiated. Moreover, South Carolina’s governor, Nikki Haley, has also guaranteed her efforts in finding sponsor for the event.
The Heritage will take place on 21 to 24 April this year. According to research conducted by Clemson University's International Institute for Tourism Research and Development, The Heritage has brought US $82 million to South Carolina. The golfing legends
which have contributed to the pride of the Harbour Town Golf Links course include 18 time major winner, Jack Nicklaus, the hall of famer Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer and the former world number one German Bernhard Langer.
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