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Canadian stop loses its luster
MARKHAM, Ontario -- In the past, the annual LPGA trip north of the border to Canada was always met with tremendous anticipation. It used to mark the fourth major on the schedule and one of the classiest events on tour. But that was far from the case last week at the Bank of Montreal Canadian Women's Open.
"It is weird to come to Canada and not think of it that way," said Karrie Webb, the winner of the 1999 title. "Obviously, four majors [have been played] and I don't think of it as a major, but normally when you come to Canada every year, you focus for the last major of the season." This change came about when the event lost du Maurier as its title sponsor. When legislation put an end to tobacco sponsorship of athletic events, parliament was in essence throwing to the ground the LPGA's history in Canada and stomping on it. Late last year, as tournament organizers frantically searched for an adequate replacement, the LPGA announced that the Weetabix British Open would become the fourth major, ending the Canadian Open's 22-year run (the last 18 under du Maurier). The decision was met with mixed emotion by the players; obviously, the Canadians were displeased. Moments after winning the 2000 New Albany Golf Classic, native daughter Lorie Kane let commissioner Ty Votaw know just how she felt about the move. "I thought we were going to get more time to try to find a sponsor and keep Canada as a major," Kane told Votaw after backing him into a corner in the press room. But the change was a long time coming. Designating the British Open as a major was just part of a master plan to add credibility and recognition to the tour. "I felt as if we needed to make a decision about a major, and we didn't know how long the Canadian situation was going to linger," Votaw said. "I'm not sure if a sponsor would have stepped up with the necessary elements to hold a major championship." When asked if he agonized over the end of a major championship despite the storied history, Votaw responded, "What history? Yes, the du Maurier [had history], but this isn't the du Maurier." He added, we "can't look back now." Though the majority of players didn't think that the Women's British Open at Sunningdale exuded the aura associated with a major championship, it far surpassed the feel of last week's Canadian Open, which had the problems and inevitable growing pains of any other first-year event. For instance, the now-blue caddie bibs were so small that you couldn't get them over your head. And the crowds were scarce, with many sports fans opting for the WTA event also in town. All of us associated with the LPGA used to have a love affair with the tour stop in Canada. Unfortunately, we've lost that loving feeling. Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, is a longtime caddie on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment.
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