In a light-hearted moment with the PGA's Tim Finchem the other day, Hawai'i touring pro Parker McLachlin said, "You know, Commish, we need to just have a Hawai'i swing ... have five or six events in Hawai'i and just bounce to each island."

He said Finchem told him, "Hey, if you can find me the sponsor, we'll do it."

To which McLachlin replied: "Well, that might be a little more challenging."

Truth be told, you have to wonder about the challenge of holding on to the two-tournament "Hawai'i Swing" as it is presently constituted. Given the financial tenor of the times, will both this week's Sony Open in Hawai'i and last week's Mercedes-Benz Championships, each with one year remaining on their contracts, still be in place in 2011?

Until a year ago the question would have been easily dismissed. But as the sliding economy forces corporations to slice spending, their return is hardly automatic. The concern is palpable and Finchem, sighing at the latest round of such questions, is likely to face similar ones at many stops this year.

Declining to attach a percentage to the chances of retaining the Hawai'i events, Finchem said: "I'm concerned about all our title sponsors. Until they are all renewed, I'll be concerned. I don't pick out one and say I'm more concerned about this one. Everybody is cutting marketing budgets so it is a different game."

Maybe we're just being paranoid, but with the NFL's Pro Bowl getting on a plane after next month for who knows how long, the apparent departure of the Hula Bowl, Hawaii Winter Baseball's cessation, etc., the sports calendar is noticeably thinning here.

To lose Sony or Mercedes, not only for the entertainment they provide but the considerable charitable contributions and economic stimulus, would be a far bigger setback.

Still, you have to wonder how Sony — pledged, according to reports, to eliminate $1 billion in expenses over the coming months — will look at the future. Can it still find marketing bang in an event that has failed to produce an appearance by either of the sport's two biggest names, Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, in its 11-year history?

This year even two young guns, Anthony Kim and Camilio Villegas, have given Waialae Country Club a pass after playing Mercedes.

Mercedes, meanwhile, hasn't seen Mickelson since 2001 or Woods since 2005, and whiffed on the top four money winners last week. Increasingly, the Race to Dubai is siphoning off names from both.

"I love these events over here," McLachlin said. "I know that economic times are tough, and especially here in Hawai'i. I think to me, it (the PGA Tour) is an important part of Hawai'i, and (Hawai'i) is an important part of the Tour."

Hopefully for many years to come, but by no means is it assured.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.