State may lose Hawaiian Ladies Open

Advertiser Staff

Two months after salvaging a Senior PGA event, the state is in danger of losing the Hawaiian Ladies Open, a fixture on the LPGA schedule the past 15 years.

The February tournament has lost its title sponsor, Cup Noodles. Another title sponsor — or sponsors — willing to put up approximately $3.6 million would have to be found soon for the tournament to continue. The cost covers TV fees ($1.4 million), a purse of around $1 million, and operating costs.

Organizers have asked Kapolei Golf Course, the site of the tournament since 1996, to hold the dates (Feb. 14-16, 2002), but the tournament office has been closed.

Mainichi Broadcasting Systems, Inc. backed the event all 15 years, guaranteeing costs and TV production and selling title sponsor rights. The past two years, Golf Channel took an Mainichi Broadcasting Systems feed to show the tournament in the United States.

An announcement from the tournament office yesterday said Mainichi Broadcasting Systems "is still interested in doing an event if it could secure a title sponsor. However, at this time, it has not been able to do so and, consequently, has decided not to commit to guarantee the event. Based on this, we have closed the tournament office until perhaps a new title sponsor is secured."

The tournament started in 1987 at Turtle Bay. It moved to Ko Olina in 1990, then to Kapolei. It has had six title sponsors — Cup Noodles twice. Only 11 LPGA events have longer histories, including three majors.

Former University of Hawai'i golfer Cindy Flom made the inaugural Hawaiian Ladies Open her first LPGA victory. Hall of Famers Beth Daniel, Patty Sheehan, Annika Sorenstam and Betsy King have also won here.

In other news, dates for next year's third annual LPGA Takefuji Classic, at Kona Country Club on the Big Island, have not been confirmed. But, dates were not confirmed at this time last year and it was held Feb. 8-10, the week before the Hawaiian Ladies Open.