PETE MOLLICA | Golf Valley probably will have to rescue Classic again

Back in 1993, when there was considerable doubt if there again would be an LPGA Tournament here in the Mahoning Valley, it was the Valley that stepped up and rescued the event and kept it here.
Some 10 years later, it probably is going to take another big effort from the Valley to keep the event here.
The Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, which will conduct its 15th tournament July 12-18 at Squaw Creek Country Club, will do so with its future in serious doubt.
This year's event will go on without any future contracts signed between Mahoning Valley Sports Charities, the tournament owners, title sponsor Giant Eagle, the LPGA or Squaw Creek Country Club.
Dwindling sponsors
What appears to be the biggest hurdle currently facing the tournament is the dwindling number of local sponsorships.
Back in 1993, when the Valley took over the tournament and called it the Youngstown-Warren LPGA Classic, and Mahoning Valley Sports Charities was first formed, 100 percent of the tournament budget was assumed by local sponsorship.
The tournament thrived for the next several years, so much so that Giant Eagle wanted to get more involved with the event and agreed to become the title sponsor in 1997.
In doing so the tournament was able to raise its prize purse from $500,000 to $1 million and the tournament became one of the top spots on the LPGA Tour.
After the 2000 tournament the event moved back to Squaw Creek Country Club after eight very successful years at Avalon Lakes Golf Course.
When that move took part the tournament lost several key founding sponsors and the struggle to keep local sponsorship has been on a steady decline every since.
Costs have increased
While the sponsorships have declined the costs have increased. In 1993 the tournament's budget was $1.1 million. This year it will be $2.5 million and the past two seasons the event has not been on national television.
"Back in 1993 it cost $150,000 to have the event on television, now that cost is $400,000," said tournament director Eddie Thomas.
Giant Eagle's contract calls for the Pittsburgh, Pa., based company to put in nearly $1 million into the tournament. It recent years they have put in as much as $1.3 million, 30 percent more than the contract called for.
The reason -- local sponsors are pulling out or cutting back.
Over the years the tournament has little or no problem getting volunteers to help run the event. In fact, Thomas said that the volunteer figure has remained steady, except for last year when the tournament was held in early June and a lot of junior volunteers were still in school.
Local sponsorship
Right now local sponsorship is paying about 35 percent of the total cost to run the tournament, while 10 years ago it was paying 100 percent. And that doesn't take in the money that goes to charity, which would bring that percentage down to nearly 25 percent.
This tournament has given nearly $4 million to local charities in the past 11 years.
"That's why we have this event," Thomas said. "Sponsorship is more of a commitment to the community than it is a commitment to the tournament."
The big question now is that if local companies don't want to be involved with the tournament, why should Giant Eagle stay involved?
Yes, it is definitely going to take another big effort from the Mahoning Valley if this tournament is going to be saved.
Tickets are on sale, sponsorships are still available and time is running out. Let's go Mahoning Valley and rally once again.
This event is the best thing that ever came to this Valley. Let's keep it here.
mollica@vindy.com