Yani Tseng of Taiwan kisses the Bruce Callis trophy on the 18th green after winning the LPGA State Farm Classic golf tournament Sunday, June 12, 2011, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)Seth Perlman/The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The LPGA tournament in Springfield has been canceled after organizers failed to find a new sponsor.
Tournament executive director Kate Peters said Friday that the board decided late Thursday to end the event after 36 years. State Farm announced in February it would withdraw as the events title sponsor, ending a 19 year association with the tournament.
State Farm called it a "difficult decision" but added it was not financially motivated, rather it was just "time to move on".
Peters said the board had tried to land a new sponsor and had been working with the LPGA but that it had exhausted all options.
"We talked to everybody (potential sponsors)," Peters told the State Journal Register. "But with the economy, it's a crummy time right now. There are a lot of people out there who'd definitely do it if they had the resources.''
"I had [LPGA commissioner Mike Whan]come in (to Springfield) last week to meet with a couple of (potential sponsors),'' added Peters. "He did a great job and really went to bat for us. Unfortunately, it didn't work out like we hoped. ...But at some point, you have to make tough choices.''
Top-ranked Yani Tseng captured the $1.7-milion tournament in June with a three shot win over Cristie Kerr.
State Farm considered backing out of the tournament in 2009 but the LPGA and tournament organizers convinced the Bloomington-based insurer to stay on.
The LPGA has yet to confirm its 2012 schedule but as many as 17 tournaments have confirmed dates for next year including a new Canadian event - the Manulife Financial Classic - to be played in Waterloo, Ont. next June.