The Charles Schwab Cup, which enjoyed its best community response since coming to Sonoma GC four years ago, has at least two more years at Sonoma, but after that, the future is uncertain.
The PGA's Champions Tour extended Sonoma GC's contract for the season-ending 30-man championship two years, to include 2007 and 2008.
In 2010 and 2011, the Schwab Cup will be held at San Francisco's Harding Park as part of a package deal with the PGA.
Presently, there is no site set for the 2009 Schwab Cup.
Harding hosted the American Express Championship in 2005 and the PGA and the city of San Francisco later agreed to a five-event deal.
That included the 2005 Amex tournament, the Presidents Cup in 2009, two Schwab events in 2010 and 2011 and an event from the four-tournament PGA Tour Playoffs.
One additional event between 2014-2019 will be chosen from among the Presidents Cup, a FedEx Cup playoff or a World Golf competition.
"We're happy to have the Schwab Cup for at least two more years," said tournament director Leon Gilmore. "We'd like it in 2009, and after it leaves Harding, we could always get it back here again."
Gilmore said the players "love the course and the area," so it could return to Sonoma.
But with the Schwab company based in San Francisco, the PGA will have lots of Bay Area sites from which to choose.
This year's Schwab Cup is Oct. 25-28. Gilmore already has starting his marketing, which includes possibly selling tickets through Safeway.
"Ticket sales will be packaged at the end of this month," said Gilmore. "We were extremely pleased with the crowds last year and are looking forward to October."
Last year, money raised pushed local charitable contributions past $1 million in just four years. Charities include Sonoma Valley Hosp ital, Young Life (Sonoma chapter), Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Common Bond Foundation, Sonoma County Children's Charities, Twin Valley Aquatics, Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club, Hanna Boys Center, The First Tee of the North Bay, Habitat for Humanity and Valley of the Moon Children's Foundation.
Call 939-4131 for information.
BIG HONOR FOR LITTLE RIVER
Little River Inn GC near Mendocino has received a national award from Environmental Leaders in Golf.
Superintendent Terry Stratton and his staff accepted the award at the recent Golf Industry Show in Anaheim.
ELG honors achievements in resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach.
Accomplishments at Little River included increasing habitat for wildlife and establishing wildlife corridors; reducing pesticide and water use; and using extensive recycling.
In fact, points out course spokeswoman Cammie Conlon, the pro shop's trip to Anaheim was paid for by selling recycled material from the course.
If you've never played Little River's nine-hole seaside layout, it's well worth the drive.
A DAY ON THE GREEN
Bodega Harbour GC will hold a special St. Patrick's Day event March 17.
The day includes 18 holes of golf (noon shotgun start), live Irish music in the Bluewater Bistro from 5-8 p.m. and a choice of corned beef and cabbage or chicken.
Participants get a ticket for a mug of beer or well drink.
Cost is $70. Call 875-3538.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Loren Roberts has 29 consecutive par or better rounds entering this weekend's Toshiba Classic. If he puts together three more, he'll equal Larry Nelson's all-time Champions Tour mark of 32 in a row.
Not that this isn't true most weeks, but Hale Irwin might be someone to watch for this weekend in Newport Beach. Irwin has won the Toshiba Classic twice and has six Top-10 finishes in the event. In 32 rounds at Newport Beach CC, Irwin has 20 in the 60s and his worst score is a 72.
Mark O'Meara was making his third Champions Tour start this weekend and he's not unfamiliar with the golf course this time. O'Meara, who grew up in Southern California, played some high school matches at Newport Beach CC.
ONE MORE TIME
The annual Tournament of Champions is coming up, April 22 at Rooster Run and April 29 at Foxtail North.
The tournament is open to Sonoma County club champs and runners-up, past champs, captain's or president's choices as well as winner of various county and city amateurs.
Rooster Run's Rob Watson (778-1211) and Foxtail's Kelly Osmundsen (584-7766) are overseeing the event this year.
The tournament is a chance for men and women to show what they can do against the best in the county.
Last year's response was fairly lame and should the response continue to suffer, the event may be history.
Check with your local pro or club president. This is an event that deserves your participation and your support.
Information packets were being sent out last week.
JUST A LITTLE BIT SOUTH
The Canadian Golf Tour is coming to ... San Jose.
The San Jose International Open is set for Boulder Ridge April 12-15 with a purse of $100,000 and a 156-player field.
Tournament director is John McCarthy, who has been running events on the West Coast for nearly 30 years, including the Spanos Tour.
A week after San Jose, the Canadian Tour will hold an event in Stockton.
The Canadian Tour not only stages tournaments in the United States but also in Mexico.
The San Jose event will hold qualifiers at Cottonwood GC April 7 and San Juan Oaks April 9 with four spots available at each qualifier.
For information, call McCarthy at 760-564-3570 or visit the Canadian Tour Web site at www.CanTour.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: