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The news last week that Outback Steakhouse is negotiating with the PGA Tour to become the title sponsor for Tampa's Champions Tour event elicited mixed feelings from the head of the group that has been running the senior event the past five years.
Hollis Cavner, co-owner of management company Pro Links Sports, said he would love to remain involved with the successful tournament at the TPC of Tampa Bay, but recognizes there might not be an event without Outback, which is likely to hire its own people to run it.
"Knowing how many paths we went down, the tournament would be in jeopardy (without Outback)," said Cavner, whose company runs five other Champions Tour events, including this week's FleetBoston Classic. "We've tried. We've done everything we can. We kept the office open down there. We've gone all over the country (looking for a title sponsor). We're just not getting any takers. It's sad, because it is one of the very best events on tour."
Cavner had nothing but praise for Outback and CEO Chris Sullivan. The company has been a supporter of the tournament, and Sullivan is an avid golfer who wants to change the event to a celebrity pro-am format and move it from February to April.
"Pro Links' stance is we don't care who they do it with as long as they save the event," said Cavner, whose company's contract with previous sponsor Verizon ended on April 30. "If Chris will step up and do this, it's wonderful. We'd love to manage it. We think we have a great track record there. If they want to do it on their own, we understand. That's fine, too.
"The main thing is just having the event. It's too good for the Tampa market to lose. We have pretty much exhausted all avenues with sponsors around the country. We've talked to more than 100. It's unfortunate.
"If the event is up for renewal and another company comes in and brings the tournament to life, more power to them," Cavner said. "There will be no hard feelings from me toward the tour and working with someone else. It's just part of business. I hate it for obvious reasons. We think we've taken the event to another level. It's been an unbelievably great event. ... But I know Chris Sullivan. They've got their own sports group. I don't blame them for taking it in-house."
CHANGING COMMITMENTS: As the 26th finisher at last fall's PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, Ben Curtis did what any player in his position would do: He committed to every tournament for which he was eligible, knowing that his priority ranking might not even be high enough for some.
That's why he was committed to last week's Greater Hartford Open, as well as several other tournaments, including the Chrysler Championship later this year at Innisbrook.
It should not have come as a surprise, however, when Curtis took back his commitments in order to reassess his situation after winning the British Open. He is now eligible for the World Golf Championship events (one of them conflicts with his wedding date on Aug. 23) and has a whole world of opportunities to consider.
Still, some criticized him last week for skipping the Hartford event and that was unfair. A commitment is not binding, and it was done with a different intent than, say, a commitment from Tiger Woods or Ernie Els.
As a Q-school grad, Curtis' commitment didn't necessarily guarantee him a spot in a tournament, but it was a necessary step if he hoped to play.
Now, as a major winner, he is exempt for five years. And if he hadn't called back those commitments, every tournament for the rest of the year would have been touting that it had the British Open winner, when maybe it won't.
CHRYSLER CHAMPIONSHIP: A first look at the PGA Tour's commitment list shows that Els and Justin Leonard are among those who plan to play in the Chrysler Championship Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at the Westin Innisbrook Resort. Other world top-50 players on the list are Chris DiMarco, Jerry Kelly, Fred Funk, Peter Lonard, K.J. Choi, Chris Riley, Jeff Sluman and John Rollins. ... Greater Hartford Open winner Peter Jacobsen had been granted a sponsor's exemption, which is no longer necessary because of his victory. That means the tournament will be able to give that spot to someone else. ... The Wednesday pro-am preceding the event is sold out and names are being taken for a waiting list. Call (727) 942-5566 for information.