With sponsorship contracts coming to a conclusion on Sunday, organizers of the sa国际传媒 Island Savings Open will look for renewals starting immediately.
With the sa国际传媒鈥檚 title sponsorship contract up, it鈥檚 likely the PGA Tour sa国际传媒 event will face a name change with Island Savings rumoured to be the title sponsor, although no one is willing to confirm that at this stage of the game.
鈥淎ll of our contracts are up as of Sunday, and [Monday] we will start negotiations with everybody for renewals. I鈥檓 told everybody will be coming back, at what levels, I鈥檓 not sure, but everybody is back,鈥� is how Keith Dagg, who is in charge of marketing and sponsorships for the event, put it following the successful 2013 event.
PGA Tour sa国际传媒 president Jeff Monday delicately danced around the subject as well, as whispers circulated throughout the week that the sa国际传媒 would take on a lesser role for 2014.
鈥淲e鈥檙e getting through this event and once it鈥檚 done everyone is in renewal discussions,鈥� said Monday. 鈥淲e have total confidence we鈥檒l be here next year and for many years to come. Sponsorship support will be there.鈥�
Renewal discussions will be held at all levels.
鈥淣o final decisions have been made relative to who is going to be in what role. Lead sponsors, presenting sponsors, secondary sponsors 鈥� all the agreements were up so now, with the PGA Tour affiliation, we will be in position to move forward on a long-term basis,鈥� he explained.
Economic aspects will obviously factor into all sponsors involved.
鈥淭he key on the sponsorship is, yes the economy certainly has influence over that, but no matter what鈥檚 going on with the economy you have to have a presence out there and you鈥檙e going to market your company in some form,鈥� said Monday.
鈥淭he most important thing is to make sure we鈥檙e providing value through affiliation.鈥�
All involved were pleased with the 2013 event. In fact, Monday openly shared his thoughts as he addressed fans on the 18th green during trophy ceremonies on Sunday.
鈥淥ne word and that鈥檚 鈥榃ow.鈥� In every single aspect it was everything we could hope for and more,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t was fantastic. In every which way we look at success, this had it,鈥� he added in an interview. 鈥淭he golf course, the players and how positive they were about getting the inaugural event underway. The community support, sponsorship and volunteers, and the buzz about the event was fantastic.鈥�
Dagg was equally pleased.
鈥淚t was awesome,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he crowd down [hole No.] 18 with the final groups were awesome and we didn鈥檛 have a Victoria player in that group.
鈥淭he whole professionalism of the PGA signage made a big difference. It put a whole new look on the tournament and we鈥檙e going to be around a long time with them,鈥� insisted Dagg.
