PGA commits to tournament in New Orleans

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 7, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:45 a.m.

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The PGA Tour and Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday announced that the Tour has committed to having a tournament presence in the New Orleans area through at least 2014.

That means the Fore!Kids Foundation, which last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding, will produce the PGA Tour’s annual springtime stop for at least six more years at TPC Louisiana.

The Fore!Kids Foundation, along with title sponsor Zurich Financial Services, has hosted the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the last four years.

The tournament, which had a $6.2 million purse last spring, annually turns over $1 million to children’s charities in south Louisiana and generates $25 million to $30 million a year for the New Orleans economy.

“We believe we have an outstanding situation in New Orleans with the leadership and ongoing efforts of the Fore!Kids Foundation, a longstanding relationship with Zurich and a first-class venue in TPC Louisiana,” Rick George, chief of operations for the PGA Tour, said in a news release.

In addition to the economic and charitable impact, the Zurich Classic provides national and international exposure for the city and state through live television and media coverage, which is a plus for tourism.

“The PGA Tour’s continuing commitment to Louisiana and the city of New Orleans is another strong signal that our state isn’t just open for business,” Jindal said. “We are competing to be the best place in the world for businesses to grow and succeed.”

“With the PGA Tour’s long-term commitment to the state, the city and now to the Fore!Kids Foundation, it sets the stage for our organization to not only continue to produce the event,” said Fore!Kids president Tommy Fonseca, “but it also gives us an opportunity to grow the event knowing we have some security. We can grow the event and create additional dollars for children’s charities and have an impact on the local economy.”

In addition to the Tour’s extended commitment, the State of Louisiana has announced a new relationship with the Tour regarding the management and operation of the TPC Louisiana golf course in Avondale.

As part of the new arrangement, the Tour will continue to operate and manage the course for the state through at least 2016 and the state will no longer provide annual financial guarantees to the Tour.

It also allows the state to share in future net operating revenue. The current lease will be terminated early and the state will have 100 percent ownership of all assets at the facility.

The state’s Division of Administration will pass responsibility to the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED), which oversees the Superdome, New Orleans Arena, Alario Center, and Zephyr Field.