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Could be no saving Commerce Bank Championship

Mark Herrmann

June 29, 2008

Just to be safe, right before they award some lucky fan two tickets to the 2009 Masters, someone should belt out a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" at the Commerce Bank Championship today. This could be the last we see of the tournament.

It is no secret that Commerce Bank is not going to renew its contract, which ends this year. It didn't help that Commerce's chief executive, Vernon Hill, was ousted in the wake of a federal probe the week before the tournament last year, or that Commerce recently was taken over by TD Banknorth. The new company's executives were leery of backing a Champions Tour tournament on Long Island the same month as the U.S. Open will be at Bethpage State Park.

Also, it is no secret that there is no new title sponsor in place, or in sight.

So today could mean "Goodbye" for the event that began as the Northville Invitational in 1987 and has been held - under various names, at two different venues - every year since.

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"I think it has been good for Long Island," said former tournament director Jack Russell, who noted that it has raised $5 million for Schneider Children's Hospital.

Hope still is in the air. Bob Catell, executive chairman of National Grid USA and a Long Islander and sports enthusiast, hosted a dinner for some tour pros at City Cellar in Westbury on Thursday night. Catell has been instrumental behind the scenes in keeping the event going in recent years, people familiar with the tournament said.

"We're going to do everything we can to keep this tournament on Long Island," he told the pros, who were receptive.

In fact, many people want to keep it going. Catell and other donors want to see it continue. So do David and Tony Marr, whose management company runs the tournament. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi wants to see it survive (as he said at media day). The Champions Tour wants it to keep running and so do the players.

The problem is that none of them has a spare $2 million, which the title sponsor needs to contribute.

One plan that has the most traction is to go without a title sponsor in 2009 and instead form a consortium of companies and groups to pitch in, just to keep the tournament afloat for a year. That is what Russell did in 2003, before Commerce signed up for 2004. But the economy wasn't as troubled then as it is now.

It will take some creativity. A proposal gaining traction is to promote interest in the event by holding it at various public and private courses - even one or two of the big-name courses - on a rotating basis. Another idea is to embrace the fact that the Open is coming, instead of running from it. Make it part of a monthlong golf celebration.

"Make it the cocktail party," one Tour official said, "instead of the hangover."

You have to wonder, though, if it is last call.

Nothing amateur

Any reasonable amateur golfer would assume that going 2 under par through 10 holes would be pretty good. Imagine the shock for Bryan Pendrick of the Mill River Club on Friday in the semifinals of the Long Island Amateur Championship at Wheatley Hills Golf Club. Pendrick's 2 under through 10 wasn't nearly a match for Joe Saladino of Huntington Country Club.

Saladino, the defending champion, had five birdies and two eagles to go 9 under through 11 holes, beating Pendrick, 8 and 7. "It was one of the greatest days in Long Island golf," said Doug Mauch, the host pro.

That set up the 36-hole final yesterday between Saladino and Alan Specht, a Wheatley Hills member. And Specht looked right at home. He trailed by one midway through the afternoon round, then won the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th holes. When Saladino applied pressure by nailing his approach shot 3 feet from the cup on No. 16, Specht put his shot within two inches and clinched a 3-and-2 win.

Sunday Tip

"Here are a few key points to hit quality knock-down shots in the wind. First, chose a less lofted club. Most people hardly ever take enough club, so they are short of their target. Second, open your stance slightly and place the ball further back. Third, take a three-quarters swing and make your rhythm slower than usual. This will keep the spin down and keep the ball under the wind."

Chris Crenshaw,

PGA assistant pro,

Seawane Club