Thursday, November 04, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Founders await word on event sponsorship

Michelin's backing of PGA Tour stop desired

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Tournament chairman John Sullivan said sponsorship of the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas is out of the hands of the Las Vegas Founders, the nonprofit organization that runs the event.

Sullivan met with officials from Michelin, which sponsored the PGA Tour event last month on a trial basis, and PGA Tour officials in Florida last week. Michelin officials are expected to decide next week whether to continue sponsoring the event in 2005 and 2006.

There was little time for Michelin to promote its involvement in this year's tournament, which was won by Andre Stolz, since it didn't agree to the deal until Sept. 8, less than a month from the tournament's start. However, Sullivan said he thought things went well.

"As far as the things about the tournament that revolve around us, I think they were very pleased with that aspect of it," Sullivan said Monday. "But they have to do their due diligence on things like television and the ratings and the ad placement and things like that that we have no control over."

The tournament was without a title sponsor since Invensys did not renew its contract after the 2002 tournament. It was called the Las Vegas Invitational in 2003 with the Founders putting up the prize money.

The tournament was in danger of being moved until a California woman, Helen K. Morton, donated $5 million over three years in March to keep it alive.

For long-term success, the tournament needs a title sponsor. Tournament officials are considering revamping the format and going from a three-course rotation to two courses with all play at one course on the weekend. The tournament has traditionally been 90 holes, though it was 72 this year and tournament officials likely will keep it at 72.

Sullivan said he's hopeful about Michelin's return, but said he has no definitive information.

"I think we made a good presentation and pitch, but they have to crunch the numbers and do what needs to be done on their end to see if it works for them," he said.

• SCHROEDER REIGNS -- Former UNLV golfer Eric Schroeder shot consecutive rounds of 5-under 67 to win the Las Vegas City Amateur on Sunday at Las Vegas Golf Club.

Schroeder finished the 36-hole event at 10-under 134, three shots ahead of current Rebels Matt Edwards and Jonathan Taruc. Edwards and Taruc shot rounds of 69 and 68, respectively.

Schroeder managed to survive a shaky finish in which he bogeyed two of the last three holes.

A 4-under 68 in the first round propelled Rich Morrison to the win in the senior division. He finished at 4-under 140, five shots ahead of Barry Moore.

Joseph Rada won the net division at 8-under 136, while Jim Bianco took the senior net title at 4-under 140.

• Q-SCHOOL UPDATE -- Las Vegan Eric Meeks advanced to the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School by finishing tied for 11th last week at a first-stage qualifying event at San Juan Oaks Country Club in Hollister, Calif.

Meeks shot a 72-hole total of 6-under 282 to become one of 26 players to advance. Another Las Vegan, Robert Secrest, missed advancing by a shot after finishing at 2-under 286 and in a tie for 27th.

At a second-stage qualifier at Rio Rico Resort & Country Club in Tucson, Ariz., Las Vegan Justin Lee advanced after finishing tied for fifth at 13-under 275. Lee shot 70-68-68-69.

• CANYON GATE TURF -- Canyon Gate Country Club completed a turf conversion last month in which it removed 30 acres of grass in order to become more drought tolerant.

The measures are expected to conserve 1.3 million acre feet of water.

Kevin Iole's golf notes are published Thursday. He can be reached at 396-4428 or at kiole@reviewjournal.com.