The PGA Tour is finally saying what everyone knew about the global financial crisis, despite being able to announce a fully sponsored schedule for 2009.
In the past few months, Tour executives have insisted on how they would not be unduly affected by the credit crunch that is causing havoc with almost every industry around the world.
But Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has admitted that, while the Tour was healthy overall, they can’t afford to be complacent, especially with the auto industry, which is a major golf sponsor, suffering particularly badly. He said in a Reuters article:
“We are talking to a range of companies in other industry sectors. It’s a tough environment out there and very few companies are untouched by this downturn. We are making some progress in identifying companies that want to be involved with charity, want to be involved in golf and want to take advantage of the platform. We’ll just have to see how it goes.â€
The announcement this week focused mainly on the Fall Series, which usually decides the top 125 on the money list and who will continue playing on the Tour for the following year.
There are 47 tournaments on next year’s itinerary, one fewer than in 2008, with the elite Mercedes-Benz Championship, open only to winners, starting off the season in Kapalua, Hawaii from January 8-11.
The season closes with the Disney Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Florida from November 12-15.
The PGA Tour is under pressure to continue its perceived domination of world tours with the European Tour expanding and increasing prize money. The highlight of the Europe circuit is the Race to Dubai, which replaces the Order of Merit race and enables golfers to qualify for the $20 million Dubai World Championship.
