Scott Gardiner already had spoken with the Golf Channel and signed autographs for the volunteers and tournament chairmen, and his caddie had found the hidden cooler with cold beverages when one thought became clearly apparent on Black Creek Club’s 18th green Sunday.
As volunteer committee chairman Tim Haralson casually put it, “I hope we get to do this again next year.”
He’s not the only one.
Blessed by perfect weather, a local rising star competing, a do-or-die playoff and improved logistics for fans and participants, the 2010 Chattanooga Classic turned out to be the best tournament in the Nationwide Tour event’s eight-year history.
But the tournament could be just that – history.
If a company or collection of companies does not step up and become a title sponsor, the Chattanooga Classic could follow in the departing footsteps of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title game.
“The next step is that we have to resolve the title sponsorship,” tournament director Mickey McCamish said. “It’s really important that we get that secured.
“I’ll be doing very prompt follow-ups with potential sponsors.”
Nobody knows whether the Classic will return. And the answer may not be known until the holiday season.
The PGA Tour doesn’t have a firm answer. McCamish doesn’t, either, nor does Friends of the Festival executive chairman Chip Baker, whose organization operates the event.
McCamish has said he’s used financial Band-Aids to keep the tournament afloat the last two years. Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee said the tour has picked up part of the bill in the past.
They are all working, even the day after this past tournament ended, to secure the 2011 event on the schedule.
“The important thing is to keep our costs down and do everything we can to get the title sponsor,” Baker said. “We have a short period of time to nail down significant interest for us to move forward with the PGA Tour.
“They’ve been great partners, but we have to do our share.”
A title sponsor would allow the tournament to increase the winnings available to the players, further enhance the experience for fans and bump up the donations to local charities.
“We could do some entertainment and things that make it even more fun,” Baker said. “Right now, the important thing is to work as hard as we can.”
The players – at least those who played on the weekend – thoroughly enjoyed their time in Chattanooga and at Black Creek and would love to be back, if not for the fact it would mean they’re not on the PGA Tour.
“Everything is top-notch,” runner-up Joe Affrunti said. “Fairways were firm, the greens were firm, and having everybody in the neighborhood come out and support it is awesome. It’s definitely a fun tournament for us to play in.”
Third-place finisher David Branshaw had a gallery of about 50 people watching his first drive and several hundred watch his last putt.
“A lot more people come out to this one than the others,” Branshaw said. “I’d say this one is a top five in fan support. They’re following us around, and that’s nice because you like to see some people.
“They do a good job here.”