Even though the Barclays will be moved from Westchester Country Club to Ridgewood Country Club (pictured right) this year, the PGA Tour announced earlier today that the tournament will return to Westchester at least once by 2012. The tour is paying Westchester $1.1 million to relocate the event. Sam Weinman writes more about the deal:
The deal is a reversal from the tour’s earlier stance of wanting to terminate outright its existing six-year agreement with Westchester, citing poor attendance and logistical problems at the 2007 Barclays as a reason. That original contract had Westcheser hosting the Barclays at least two more times before 2012. In the modified deal, the $1.1 million buyout would satisfy one of those years on the contract, but the tournament would have to return to Westchester one more time, with the option of a second time at the tour’s disposal.
As part of the announcement today, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem sent a letter of aplology to Westchester members about the events of the past few weeks.
“Some reporters suggested that the movement of The Barclays was due to our view that Westchester Country Club was substandard. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Finchem wrote. “We have great respect for Westchester Country Club—your course, your membership and your great tradition. Our players enjoy playing there. We at the PGA Tour regret any offense created by these misplaced media comments and are sorry for the impressions these comments caused. Our return to your club at least one more time indicates our view that it is a world class facility.”
