Zayra Calderon, the CEO of the Duramed Futures Tour, was determined to keep her event in Central New York.
This, after the chief charitable beneficiary of the event informed the Tour it would drop its affiliation with the tournament. This, after a couple years of scanning the Syracuse golf horizon with the hope of uncovering a more competitive venue. “All I know is that Syracuse is really important to us,” Calderon said. “It’s a perfect market and what I see is just opportunity.” That opportunity will continue for another summer. Tuesday, Calderon visited Syracuse to announce that the Alliance Bank Classic will return for its 14th season in 2009. The time and place have changed. So have the charities the tournament will benefit. From July 31 through Aug. 2 Drumlins East, the private portion of the sprawling golf complex on the city’s east side, will play host to the event. It had been held for 13 years at The Links at Erie Village. Also, The First Tee of Syracuse Inc. and Leadership Greater Syracuse will become the chief charitable beneficiaries of the women’s professional golf event. Calderon said during an afternoon news conference that she’s been making plans for this year’s tournament for a year and a half.
Loretto, the tournament’s former chief charity, announced its plans to drop its affiliation with the Futures Tour after last year’s event. And Calderon said she’s been shopping Central New York for a while to find a suitable golf course to host the tournament.