Posted on: Thursday, March 25, 2004

LPGA fairly optimistic about return to Hawai'i

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — On his fifth anniversary as LPGA commissioner, Ty Votaw delivered a State of the Tour yesterday. It included his interest in expanding the beginning of the season and he sees a return to Hawai'i as part of the expansion.

The LPGA played at least one event, and often two, in the Islands for more than 20 years before leaving after the 2002 Takefuji Classic. At that tournament, then-12-year-old Michelle Wie became the youngest to Monday qualify for an LPGA event.

Votaw says the interest Wie has generated is helping Hawai'i's chances of landing a new event.

"Certainly the excitement that's been brought about by Michelle Wie on the Island at the Sony Open, and the fact that she is a native of Hawai'i, has probably generated a bit more interest," Votaw said. "We've had discussions over the past 12 to 18 months with parties interested in bringing the LPGA back and we are hopeful that we'll be able to do that.

"That very well might be one of the ways in which we start our year, if not in 2005 then in subsequent years. But there are activities right now going on in Hawai'i where we're cautiously optimistic we can come back there."