USA Today is reporting that this year’s Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic may be the last. With one of the smallest purses on the schedule, the Jamie Farr Classic looks to be on Carolyn Bivens’ chopping block.
Farr tournament director Judd Silverman remains upbeat.
“I’m very optimistic. We’ve been in this position several times before through our 25 years where we’ve had to negotiate new contracts,” he said on the eve of the opening round. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves with the LPGA and both parties are going to have to work hard to find a livable business model during some very tough economic times.”
He said the Farr tried to spread the sacrifices around. The pro-am gift packages aren’t as big, fewer bleachers were set up and past champions were not provided with courtesy vehicles.
Despite that belt-tightening, no one knows if there will be a 26th Farr. The LPGA and Silverman will sit down after the tournament to discuss the event’s future.
LPGA officials at the tournament site did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
If the Jamie Farr goes, it certainly won’t be for lack of player support. Every big name on the Tour is there this weekend. And it won’t be for lack of community support. There was an army of volunteers there, and tournament attendance over the years has been very good.
Given the lack of sentimentality by LPGA Officials, however, I don’t think the Jamie Farr Classic has a very good chance.
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