Here's where it hurts the most

The news that the LPGA Corning Classic, after 31 years, will discontinue after the 2009 playing next month is disheartening for the LPGA, to be sure. But the bigger hit is to the Corning, N.Y., community and the charities that the tournament supported.

Last year, the tournament distributed $325,000 to local charities, including 11 area hospitals and their women's health care programs, according to LPGA.com.

"In the 30 years the LPGA Corning Classic has been played at Corning Country Club," the LPGA's website notes, "it has distributed nearly $5.5 million to charities in the Corning, N.Y. area."

Ron Sirak of Golf World has the story here on the demise of the tournament and the ramifications for the LPGA.

UPDATE: Here is reaction from Rosie Jones, a two-time winner of the event, who was dubbed "the queen of Corning."

-- John Strege