The mood in the country is grim. Every day there's word of another troubled company
looking for some creative way to make things work. Even though
our world as we have known it is changing, there's still a lot of positive
energy.
That's how it seems on the LPGA Tour at the season-ending ADT championship.
The 2009 schedule isn't quite as robust as last year, but 31 events with a
total of $55 million in official prize money is not all bad. The LPGA has
endured other tough times, but now in its 58th year, has shown a resiliency
to get through.
Staples of the tour continue as stops in 2009. Familiar events like the
Kraft Nabisco, Corning Classic, State Farm, LPGA Championship, Wegmans,
Jamie Farr and Long Drugs represent more than 240 years of LPGA activity.
And next year's purses at these tournaments will be either equal to last
year's or in the case of, Jamie Farr and Longs Drugs, increased by $100,000.
Although Annika may be "stepping away from the game," Lorena, Paula Creamer,
Katherine Hull, Yani Tseng, Angela Stanford, are poised to make their own
history. Michelle Wie should be a regular next year, adding to the tour's
appeal and coincidentally, the gate receipts.
Clearly, these are tough days, but as Lorena Ochoa summed up, "We are going
through hard times, and, of course, it will hurt a few tournaments or
sponsors. But I think we're in good shape. We believe that we are in great
hands."
-- Topsy Siderowf
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