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Walmart ending title sponsorship of First Tee Open?
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Walmart, the world's largest retailer, is likely to end its five-year title sponsorship of the First Tee Open, the Champions Tour event on the Monterey Peninsula founded in 2004 and annually held during the Labor Day weekend.
Walmart was not listed as the title sponsor of the event when the 2010 Champions Tour schedule was announced Nov. 24 by the PGA Tour.
"It's still up in the air," said Ollie Nutt, President and CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, told The Monterey County Herald. "The indication is that they do not plan on returning as title sponsor, but that they will continue to stay involved in the event. The 2010 schedule is out with the event on it so we all fully expect to have the event in 2010 and beyond. For 2010 that could include having Walmart hang in for a transition year."
The contract between Walmart and the Foundation, a four-year deal, ended with this year's tournament, headquartered at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
According to Champions Tour member John Cook, players on the tour first heard that Walmart may be leaving at a Champions Tour Players Advisory Council Meeting in September.
"It's unfortunate. It's the most important event we have on our tour," Cook said. "We have our majors and big tournaments, but for a theme, with The First Tee and the kids, it's a big one."
During the tournament, junior players from the First Tee program are selected to play with Champions Tour players.
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