Votaw hopeful tourney will stay

The South Range High graduate is optimistic the local LPGA event can be saved.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw is a native of the Mahoning Valley and his family resides in the area.
So no one wants to see the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic continue in the Valley more than he does.
Votaw says he is in negotiations with the Mahoning Valley Sports Charities, owners of the this tournament, and is very optimistic that something can be worked out.
The tournament is in the final year of a three-year contract between MVSC and the LPGA, but that isn't anywhere near as crucial as the contract between MVSC and title sponsor Giant Eagle.
"We only negotiate with Mahoning Valley Sports Charities," Votaw said. "The rest is between MVSC and Giant Eagle."
Can this tournament exist without Giant Eagle?
"It can if another title sponsor steps up," Votaw said.
Multiple sponsors
Votaw also said that the LPGA has no problems with multiple title sponsors for its event.
"But that's completely up to Giant Eagle there," Votaw said. "This is not an abnormal situation here. We have other tournaments that have gone after their contract has expired before settling on a new one."
The Salem native and a graduate of South Range High School commented on this year's field for the classic.
"We had hoped for a better field, but that's not to say that this isn't a good one," Votaw said. "There are still the Laura Diaz, Dottie Pepper, Pat Hurst and Hall of Famer JoAnne Carner here.
"Last year this tournament had six of the top 10 money winners, but again there was a lot of players who hadn't played here in awhile, and with our one-in-four rule, many played for the first time in awhile," Votaw said.
Recent rule
The LPGA has a recent rule that players must play each tournament once in every four years.
"Last year we had only three tournaments all season where we had the top 10 money winners in the field," Votaw said. "This year already we've had seven.
"Those players are playing more tournament this year and June was a big month with the LPGA Championships, ShopRite, Rochester and the U.S. Women's Open," Votaw said. "Most of those players all played those events.
"We can't control the players schedules, other than the one-in-four rule, so if they decide to take time off now, it's their decision.
"We agree that this tournament deserves to have a great field, but the players who are here are going to put on a great show for the fans this year," Votaw said.
The tournament gets under way Friday at 7:30 a.m. starting from both the No. 1 and No. 10 tees.
mollica@vindy.com