PETE MOLLICA Annika's commitment adds to the tournament

When Annika Sorenstam signed up to play in the 2003 Giant Eagle LPGA Classic this past week, everyone in the Giant Eagle tournament office gave a big sigh of relief.
Sorenstam is without a doubt the hottest commodity in golf these days, especially after her outstanding performance on the PGA Tour in the Colonial Invitational last month, where although she failed to make the cut, proved that she could play with the men.
Eddie Thomas, the executive director of the Giant Eagle Classic, who has run every one of the 13 events that have been played in the Mahoning Valley since 1990, was elated over the news that Sorenstam would be playing here for the first time since 1998.
"Annika is undoubtedly the greatest player in women's golf currently and to have her in our field, just makes a good thing even better," said Thomas.
Won't arrive until Thursday
For area fans who want to get an early look at the Swedish standout, who already has qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame, one year before she was even eligible to be inducted, they may have to wait until later in the week to see her.
Sorenstam has previous commitments that will keep her busy until Thursday, so she won't be competing in any of the pre-tournament events, including the pro-ams.
She may not even get in a practice round before Friday's opening round of the tournament. LPGA rules do not allow any tournament players to play on the course after the official pro-am tournament has ended and the Cellular One Pro-Am won't conclude until late Thursday afternoon.
"We feel that we have one of the best and deepest fields this year," Thomas said, "and that was before Annika committed.
Thomas is hoping that Sorenstam's appearance here will give the tournament an added kick, similar to the one that Nancy Lopez gave the event back in 1993 when she won the first tournament after the Phar-Mor scandal.
"If Annika should win this event then we know she'll be back next year and that would really give the tournament a boost, such as what happened with Nancy back in 1993," he explained.
Getting Sorenstam wasn't an easy task, but Thomas said it involved a lot of work.
"We were in constant contact with her agent, plus we got some help from Giant Eagle, since Annika represents Kraft, which does business with Giant Eagle," Thomas added.
Thomas also announced that the tournament has moved the corporate tent area this year.
"We've moved it to just left of the No. 18 fairway and it will provide a spectacular view of the final hole on Sunday," he said. "Previously the tent area was along side No. 9 hole and was really out of all the action the final two hours of the tournament, which are generally the most exciting."
Thomas said the move had not been made before because of the expense.
"The cost of setting it up was significant," he said. "We had to run power, water, cable and phone lines up there, but now we're set for the future."
And exactly just what does the future of the this tournament entail?
Well, Squaw Creek Country Club, the tournament's site for the past two years, is facing problems. The club's membership has dwindled to a dangerously low level and there have been talks about selling the club to an outside party.
"I don't know what the situation is since I don't attend their membership meetings," Thomas said. "I know that they have a couple of offers to sell it outright."
"We have a contract with the club through next season," he added. "I would think that if someone buys the club they would honor that contract."
"If not," Thomas said, "walk outside and pick up the skirting on this office and you'll see that it's on wheels. If we can't play here we'll go somewhere, but there will be a tournament next year."
XPete Mollica covers the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic for The Vindicator. Write to him at mollica@vindy.com.