It has been called the Northville Invitational, Northville
Long Island Classic, Lightpath Long Island Classic, the Long Island Classic and Commerce Bank Championship. And after this year, the Champions Tour stop will need yet another new name.
That is to say, Long Island's only regular professional golf event will have to get another title sponsor in order to keep going. Two people familiar with the tournament said that Commerce, which this week will become part of TD Banknorth and become known as TD Commerce Bank, is pulling out after this year's event (June 23-29).
So the Tour will have to find a new backer, at least for 2009. The PGA Tour, which operates the Champions Tour, wants the venerable and resilient tournament (established in 1987) to continue.
"It's a key market for us and it's played on a hidden gem, Eisenhower Red," said Michael McPhillips, communications director for the Champions Tour, who has not heard definitively about the bank's decision. "We're going to play this year out and have discussions with them. This could be a case of, 'Prepare for anything, but you never know.'"
Local golf cognoscenti point out that TD Commerce might return for 2010. It's just that the prospect of sponsoring in '09, right after another U.S. Open on Long Island, was daunting. In the past, the Champions Tour event has felt the sting of Open hangover, finding it hard to draw volunteers and generate interest.
Ed Travaglianti, president of Commerce Bank Long Island, who will remain with the new company, said he could not comment on future plans. He did say the bank is committed to and excited about this year's event. He said Hall of Famer Nick Price has agreed to play, as have Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange and Loren Roberts.
The best new promotion is a trip to the 2009 Masters - the winner will be selected from among the gallery at the awards ceremony June 29. Organizers also are hinting at a crowd-pleasing wrinkle during play this year (hint: It has something to do with celebrities and pro athletes. Keep watching here, and the "On the Green" blog at newsday.com)
Turnesa perseveres
Marc Turnesa of Rockville Centre has had a creditable start as a PGA Tour rookie. He entered the Shell Houston Open this week having made five of 11 cuts, earning $117,839. His missed the cut in Houston this week after making a spate of bogeys in finishing the second round.
Outings
The St. Jude R.C. Church 24th annual golf outing for St. Jude's Outreach will be Wednesday, April 23 at Rock Hill Golf & Country Club, Manorville. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. Call Tom Gross 631-921-6793 or Ron Gross 631-255-0339 ... Swing Fore the Health of It, a free five-week program that uses golf to help recent breast cancer surgery patients (past 18 months) to become active again, starts Tuesday, April 29 at Harbor Links in Port Washington. Call the American Cancer Society, 1-800-ACS-2345.
The Port Jeff Golf Club, "a club without real estate" will play between 17 and 19 outings on 13 venues. Spirit of golf is emphasized - "sandbaggers and cheats need not apply." Web site is pjgc.ghinclub.com. Or call president Pat Linehan 631-598-3204.
Opening tip
We will feature video tips from Long Island pros this year. But here's one in print to get you rolling. It's from Rich Jones, head pro at Mill Pond Golf Course in Medford.
"The chip and run shot should be the backbone of your short game. If done correctly, it is the most reliable shot around the green. The average golfer attempts to pitch the ball in the air. The uncontrollable nature of the pitch shot makes it a poor choice, especially from a marginal lie.
"By landing the ball on the ground and having it roll as quickly as possible, your chances of predicting the ball's behavior greatly increase. For a simple chip and run style, the club of choice for me would be an 8-iron. Rules to play by - putt whenever you can, chip when you can't putt, pitch only when you have no choice."
