Safeway International: Who Wouldn't Sponsor This Thing?

Lorena won by 7. And, as Bill Huffman reports, the crowds were enormous:

A single-day record crowd of 44,600 turned out for Sunday’s final round of the Safeway International, boosting the total for the week to 159,300 fans, which also was a record.

That last number – 159,300 – is believed to be the largest weekly attendance ever to watch an LPGA event.

The only problem in confirming that fact is the LPGA doesn’t keep attendance records, a policy that also is adhered to on the PGA Tour.

The 44,600 who turned out Sunday at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club broke the old standard of 39,700, which was set a year ago during the same round.

Last year, 151,100 fans turned out for the tournament, which also was a record.

Seriously, this event outdraws several major championships on the LPGA Tour. What is it that presents such a difficulty for a sponsor to get behind this event? I would think any sponsor would be knocking down the door to get in on this action!