Citing the need for more planning time, the LPGA Futures Tour has rescheduled its tournament at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth from next summer to 2013.
“We have put tournaments together before in a short time,” said Zayra Calderon, CEO of the LPGA Futures Tour.
“With a new market, we want to make sure the event is a home run. This will give us time to create a grass roots event that the Portland area will be proud of. We’ll have time to cultivate it and make the tournament a showcase event,” she said.
The Futures Tour serves as the developmental tour for the LPGA. Many of today’s LPGA’s stars played on the Futures Tour.
Two weeks ago, Purpoodock’s board of governors voted to accept the tournament after club members voted overwhelmingly in favor of it. Green Tree Event Consultants of Falmouth has a verbal agreement with the LPGA to provide marketing and management services for the tournament. Stefa Normantas of Green Tree said a first-year event usually needs 12 to 18 months to organize.
“There are a lot of parties who want to be involved in the tournament,” said Normantas.
“Technically, we can put together a good event in a short time, but we envision this as a world-class event. This will give us more time to line up sponsors, community partners and volunteers.”
Purpoodock Club President Jim Harvey learned of the LPGA’s decision in a conference call Friday.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed,” said Harvey.
“There were a lot of people looking forward to it. I understand there’s a lot of preparation involved in organizing a tournament. I’m still excited for 2013. This could work out better for us. For one, it will be an opportunity to get a better date.”
The proposed 2012 tournament dates were July 10-15. Those dates weren’t Purpoodock’s top choice because it would have had to move its men’s member-guest tournament, a highlight of the season.
With the postponement to 2013, the club could get the August dates it favored.
“We’ll sign a contract this winter for 2013,” said Harvey.
“The LPGA wants to finalize its 2012 schedule. After that, we’ll see how 2013 shapes up. We’ll be discussing dates that work best for all the parties.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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