Buick Open

Rumors of the end don't hold back Buick Open

Thursday, July 30, 2009

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buick open, marc jacobson

Marc Jacobson
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WARWICK HILLS (WJRT) -- (07/28/09) -- Speculation continues this noon that this year's Buick Open will indeed be its last.

Don't miss our Drive to the Buick specials on ABC12 beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m.

More: Buick Open maps, restaurants, shopping, emergency information.

This past weekend, Tom Pernice Jr., a member on the PGA Players Advisory Council, was quoted in Golfweek Magazine saying "Buick doesn't have the finances; GM can't afford it."

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But yesterday he told ABC 12 that nothing is official.

A person briefed on the decision is telling the Associated Press today that General Motors will end its sponsorship of the PGA tournament after more than a half century.

The person, speaking on a condition of anonymity, said GM and tour officials will make an official announcement after the tournament is finished.

Nevertheless, the Buick Open is driving ahead today, and the pros are coming to town.

Even with all the excitement of the anticipated arrival of Tiger Woods, you can't escape talk of what lies ahead for the Buick Open.

ABC12's Marc Jacobson says he's heard opinions from the players and the fans.

Today, he caught up with a caddy who has plenty of reason to hope that this tournament sticks around.

The Buick Open at Warwick Hills has always been a favorite tour stop for caddies. "There are a lot of good tournaments, but this is one of the best," said PGA Tour caddy Lance Burnett.

Burnett, a Dallas native, has been a regular at the Buick since 2003. He's heard the talk that this year's Buick could be the last. "It'd be very sad. This is a great place with great fans."

This week, Burnett is carrying the load for Casey Wittenberg, who has always been fond of Warwick as well. "I know this tournaments been around a long time. I enjoy coming here, and losing it would hurt the community," Wittenberg told Jacobson.

Burnett has traveled coast to coast as a PGA Tour caddy. While he lives in Dallas, Warwick Hills has always been special to him. He comes from a GM family, and his father and grandparents grew up in Flint.

"My family is from here, and it's always a homecoming. It won't be fun not to come here anymore."

Burnett's grandparents began working for GM in the late 1920's. Flint's struggling auto industry hits him close to home. "It's tough to see what the city and state are going through."

When it's all said and done, Burnett hopes that next week's rumored announcement won't be as bad as many people think. "I hope they can find a way to save it. It'd be really cool if they could do that."

All of that aside, there is still a golf tournament taking place at Warwick Hills this week.

As of noon, Tiger Woods has yet to show. He should be out taking a practice round sometime this afternoon.

Earlier this morning, John Daly turned plenty of heads. Big John was out for a practice round shortly after 8 a.m. Daly and his fashionable wardrobe are staying at Kid Rock's house this week.

Kid Rock is on tour right now, so don't expect to see him tagging along.

Daly's here on a sponsorship exemption, and is looking better, physically, than we've seen him in quite some time.

He'll participate in the Buick Family Golf clinic at 1 p.m.

Remember -- Tuesday afternoon admission is free.