End of an era in Los Angeles?

The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce has operated the PGA Tour's Los Angeles event since the inception of the Los Angeles Open in 1926, an association that apparently could be ending soon.

"What do you want me to say?" tournament director Tom Pulchinski said when asked about a persistent rumor that the Junior Chamber's run was ending. "I can just say we don't have anything to announce on that."

Pulchinski said that everyone involved in the tournament is committed to doing whatever is necessary to help the tournament grow. One tournament official acknowledged that the PGA Tour has assisted the Junior Chamber with operating the tournament this year.

Pulchinksi, meanwhile, would only say that, "We're looking at all aspects of how to do that to make the tournament bigger and better."

The LAJCC claims to have introduced professional sports to Los Angeles and tour golf to the West Coast by starting the Los Angeles Open in 1926.

-- John Strege