Fri Aug 8 14:23:46 2008

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Sorenstam's Ginn Tribute off the LPGA schedule

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Mt. Pleasant, SC (Sports Network) - The Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika has been dropped from the LPGA Tour schedule for the next two years.

The event, hosted by namesake Annika Sorenstam, just started in 2007 and needed a playoff to determine both champions. Nicole Castrale beat women's World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa in '07 and Seon Hwa Lee knocked off Karrie Webb earlier this year.

"We have mutually agreed to cancel the 2009 and 2010 Ginn Tribute events," said Carolyn Bivens, LPGA Tour Commissioner. "The popularity and interest of the LPGA is at an all-time high thanks to sponsors like Bobby Ginn.

"We also appreciate all of the fan support that the LPGA received in Charleston and from throughout South Carolina, and look forward to returning to South Carolina market in the future."

Bobby Ginn, the chairman and CEO of The Ginn Companies, LLC, said the tournament didn't draw the necessary sponsorship to continue.

"The golf tournament business is primarily fueled by economic support," Ginn stated. "We did everything in our power to generate the sponsorship necessary to continue with the Ginn Tribute, but given the current market and corresponding cuts in corporate spending, it was an uphill battle."