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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:23 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Grand Slam of Golf headed to Bermuda

Associated Press

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is leaving one island for another.

The PGA of America said Wednesday the tournament is leaving Poipu Bay in Hawaii for the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, the first time in its 24-year history that it will be played outside the United States.

Featuring the four major champions of the year, it will be played Oct. 16-17, the Tuesday and Wednesday after the HSBC World Match Play Championship in England.

Tiger Woods won the Grand Slam last month for the seventh time.

The tournament began in 1979 at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., and moved to Minnesota, Florida, Illinois and California before stopping at Poipu Bay for the last 12 years.

PGA of America officials have considered moving the elite four-man event to another city for the past few years.

The loss is a financial blow for the island of Kauai. The Grand Slam is the island's sole major sports event and generates more than $2.4 million in visitor spending and $150,000 in tax revenues.

The tournament also helps market the island to a worldwide television audience as a golf and tourist destination.