PGA of America cancels Grand Slam event
The PGA of America has decided to permanently cancel the Grand Slam of Golf.
The four-man, 36-hole event had been played annually since 1979 and typically brings together the four major champions from the previous calendar year.
After eight years in Bermuda, the event was slated to shift to Trump National in Los Angeles last year. It was abruptly pulled from the site following controversial remarks about immigrants from course owner and presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and ultimately cancelled.
While that decision was billed as a one-year hiatus, PGA officials have now decided to make the change permanent.
"When the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was launched in 1979, the golf world was much different than it is today," the PGA said in a statement.
"The PGA Tour's wrap-around schedule, the European Tour's Race to Dubai, plus other important international events, make the fall schedule very busy and hectic for the top players in the world. It had also become challenging to attract fans, television viewership and media interest.
"While we have enjoyed staging the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, given those many factors, the timing is right to discontinue the event."
In recent years the event had seen some major champs opt out of the late-season appearance, including Phil Mickelson (2010, 2013), Louis Oosthuizen (2010) and Rory McIlroy (2012). The final champion was Martin Kaymer, who beat Bubba Watson, McIlroy and alternate Jim Furyk in 2014.
The four-man, 36-hole event had been played annually since 1979 and typically brings together the four major champions from the previous calendar year.
After eight years in Bermuda, the event was slated to shift to Trump National in Los Angeles last year. It was abruptly pulled from the site following controversial remarks about immigrants from course owner and presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and ultimately cancelled.
While that decision was billed as a one-year hiatus, PGA officials have now decided to make the change permanent.
"When the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was launched in 1979, the golf world was much different than it is today," the PGA said in a statement.
"The PGA Tour's wrap-around schedule, the European Tour's Race to Dubai, plus other important international events, make the fall schedule very busy and hectic for the top players in the world. It had also become challenging to attract fans, television viewership and media interest.
"While we have enjoyed staging the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, given those many factors, the timing is right to discontinue the event."
In recent years the event had seen some major champs opt out of the late-season appearance, including Phil Mickelson (2010, 2013), Louis Oosthuizen (2010) and Rory McIlroy (2012). The final champion was Martin Kaymer, who beat Bubba Watson, McIlroy and alternate Jim Furyk in 2014.
Labels: GOLF NEWS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, March 16, 2016
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