Grand Slam of golf may be relocated
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 11:07

PGA officials are currently in negotiations, but there is a possibility that the tournament will return to Kauai next year.

"We will never rule out returning to Hawaii," Mason said. "This is a special place."

The loss would be a financial blow for the island of Kauai. The Grand Slam is the Garden Island's sole major sporting event and generates $2.4 million in visitor spending and $150,000 in tax revenues.

"Certainly we don't want to lose the Grand Slam, but the other side of it is, we can't afford a $5 million Grand Slam," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. "We're not going to get into a bidding war with other areas over the Grand Slam."

The state contributed $254,000 this year to host the event.

Johnson said the PGA of America has not asked the state for more money.

This year's 36-hole, $1 million tournament begins Tuesday, and includes five-time winner Tiger Woods, defending champion Phil Mickelson, Michael Campbell and Vijay Singh.