For first time in 70 years, the annual PGA Tour event held in Fort Worth will not contain the word ‘Colonial’ in its title
While I was watching the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this past weekend I couldn’t help but reminisce about the tournament when it was called the Bing Crosby Pro-Amateur Golf Championship or “The Crosby Clam Bake” and seeing Bing and his friends having fun and watching the Crosby kids grow up.
The names on the tournament schedule are a lot different today than they were when I was younger and we had tournaments like the Greensboro Open that Sam Snead won it 8 times. That’s now the Wyndham Championship with a purse of $5.4 million.
Another of my favorites has always been the Colonial whoever was sponsoring it. I got to play there when I was on the Ben Hogan Staff and being there with Mr. Hogan just made it special to me. Now I find out they have a new sponsor and Colonial will no longer be part of the name. It is now DEAN & DELUCA Invitational. What kind of nightmare is that? At least it is still being played at Colonial.
In a press release the PGA Tour had this to say:
“We are very pleased to introduce DEAN & DELUCA as the new title sponsor of one of the most historic and prestigious tournaments on TOUR,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “DEAN & DELUCA is recognized for its uncompromising commitment to excellence and customer service in the gourmet food industry and we look forward to working with their team to integrate their brand, products and expertise into the tournament.”
I know I should be happy with the fact that they have a sponsorship deal that will keep Colonial on the schedule, but I can’t help but cringe a little waiting for the next name change. I fully understand that the changes have all been about money and the players wouldn’t be playing for the purses today.
In the meantime I can take satisfaction in knowing that I have The Masters, The U. S. Open, and The Open Championship. With the direction the PGA of America is headed I won’t be surprised when they announce that they now have a corporate sponsor for the PGA Championship or the Ryder Cup.
