Danielle Downey Classic will not pursue a 2022 event
ending its seven-year LPGA Symetra Tour run
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic will not seek the renewal of its contract with the LPGA Symetra Tour and pursue a seventh straight event in 2022, tournament organizers announced today. Work commenced in August to identify and increase support for the tournament, but organizers could not reach what they felt was a sufficient financial threshold to continue the event.
“After the 2021 tournament, we set new standards for what we needed to keep the Danielle Downey Classic going. We were diligent in our efforts, but not enough progress was made by our self-imposed deadline of November 23,” tournament chair Mike Vadala said. “As a result, the committee has agreed to abandon efforts to keep the tournament going. We unanimously agreed that more financial support would be necessary to do more for the community, and for the players, as well as to raise awareness through enhanced advertising budgets. Unfortunately, the necessary commitments for those funds could not be secured.”
Over its seven-year life, the Downey Classic donated more than $200,000 to local charities and provided unique benefits to women in the business community, cancer patients and local students through many events It produced a well-run tournament that paid more than $1 million in prize money in six events. This tournament played an important part in helping many professional golfers get their start, elevate their careers and fulfill dreams and goals. “The players who came here to play each year were well aware of Rochester’s rich golf history, and the reception they received was great. Many LPGA players still recognize Rochester as a hub of women’s golf,” Vadala said. “We fought hard to save that reputation and women’s professional golf in Rochester, which has been a fixture in this community for 45 years. Thank you to the community for its support. We are somewhat saddened by what we feel may be the end of an era in Rochester. Our committee, the LPGA professionals, the Downey family and Brook-Lea Country Club were hoping for a different outcome, but we are ready to move on.”