This week, Golfweek reported that Buick is terminating its sponsorship of the Buick Open after 51 years. An official announcement is expected to be made after the tournament crowns a 2009 champion on Sunday.
Last month, I wrote how the automaker shelved its popular Buick Clubhouse, where I performed golf exhibitions and demonstrations, at the AT&T National and other PGA Tour events.
With its recent bankruptcy, GM has canceled the majority of its golf marketing efforts, including its nine-year relationship with Tiger Woods. The other players have suffered, too, as the company ended a longstanding program of providing courtesy cars at PGA Tour events. A couple of years ago, the Buick Scramble — a local and national competition for teams of PGA golf pros and amateurs — was sunsetted. And locally, the once ubiquitous Buick Hole-In-One program has disappeared from community charity outings and other golf events due to the automaker’s struggles.
For now, the Buick Invitational remains on the 2010 PGA Tour schedule. The PGA Tour is expected to announce a new tournament to replace the Buick Open, perhaps an event at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. For me, I hope the new event is an open tournament and not a limited field invitational that does not offer an opportunity for open qualifying.
In a show of loyalty to Buick as well as to the Grand Blanc community, Tiger is playing in the final edition of the Buick Open, this week. Other pros have expressed their gratitude for the automaker and the fans. Certainly, Buick has been a major sponsor of the PGA Tour and golf for many years.
Until next time, enjoy golf, America!
08.05.09 Update
This morning, the AP reported that Buick has also announced that the company will no longer serve as the title sponsor of the Buick Invitational in California. The Century Club of San Diego, which runs the tournament, is already looking for a new title sponsor and will hold the 2010 event regardless of sponsorship.
