Apparently, what happens in Kaua'i, doesn't mean it'll stay in Kaua'i.

After 12 consecutive years at the Po'ipu Bay Golf Course, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf may find a new home next year.

Contract negotiations are still ongoing between the PGA of America and Kawailoa Development, a subsidiary of Takenaka Corporation, property owner of the golf course and the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa.

"We'll have a decision regarding the location of the 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf by the end of the year," said Julius Mason, director of media relations for the PGA of America, which runs the annual event featuring the winners of golf's four majors.

The 2005 PGA Grand Slam was in its option year and the PGA of America informed Kawailoa Development a year ago that other sites on the Mainland, particularly Las Vegas, and the Caribbean had expressed an interest in hosting the event and it was going to explore the opportunities with them as a courtesy.

"We really honor and respect our relationship with the PGA of America and appreciate everything what the PGA Grand Slam has done for the island (Kaua'i)," said Myles Shibata, Kawailoa Development CEO.

While Shibata would not discuss how negotiations are going, he said Kaua'i would definitely like to have the event continue and his company will always welcome the PGA of America.

All of the fans in the gallery the past two days, a larger number than the past two years when Tiger Woods didn't play, agreed that Kaua'i has been an ideal site for the PGA Grand Slam.

"I'd be disappointed if it left. I enjoy watching these guys," said Robert Jones, a house painter from 'Ele'ele, who watched every PGA Grand Slam except in 1996.

"It's kind of sad if it happens," said Lihu'e native Takako Mizutani, 74, who attended all but two of the PGA Grand Slam events, including the first that the Garden Island hosted in 1991 at the Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Course.

Dianne Pitman of Mililani flew over with her sister, Irene Whitaker, who's visiting from Maryland. It's an event where you can see the world's best golfers real close up, said Pitman, who has been to four PGA Grand Slams.

"I hate to see it move. It's such a prestigious event for not only Kaua'i but for all of Hawai'i," said Eileen Lota, who along with her husband Jimmy, were guests of Shibata.

"We're great fans of Tiger. When Tiger didn't come (in 2003), there was hardly anybody but we came anyway," said Lota, a former Honolulu city official.

Woods is the reason Clifford Yoshida Sr. of 'Ewa Beach keeps going to Kaua'i for the event. Yoshida, who worked in The Advertiser circulation department for 49 years, has seen Tiger win the event six times besides his runner-up finish to Ernie Els in 1997.

"I think it's sad for Kaua'i," said Yoshida, who persuaded his son, Larry, to come along for the first time because it could be the event's last time here.

He might be prejudiced, but Robert Trent Jones Jr., Po'ipu Bay's golf architect, thinks it would be a shame if the PGA Grand Slam moves elsewhere.

"Not because it's my course," said Jones, who has designed 10 golf courses in Hawai'i and owns a beachfront home in Princeville.

"This course has proven itself as a superb test over the years. And I think it would be good to play an event at the same course year after year, like Augusta.

"Golf needs a major event in the Pacific, which is the fastest-growing area in golf," added Jones, who noted that this year's PGA Grand Slam is particularly significant because Woods and Phil Mickelson are from California, Vijay Singh from Fiji and Michael Campbell from New Zealand.

"This is for the true Pacific Championship," Jones said.

So where would the 2006 PGA Grand Slam be held next, if not Kaua'i?

"I keep hearing Las Vegas," said Mark Rolfing, NBC-TV golf analyst who's doubling duties for the Golf Channel.

Rolfing said that if the PGA Grand Slam leaves Hawai'i, it's important that a replacement be found quickly.

"The PGA Tour has a contract with the HTA (Hawaii Tourism Authority) for six events, which includes the PGA Grand Slam. If this event is leaving, the longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to replace it," Rolfing said.

"I hate to see it leave. The event is important for the community and important for the Kaua'i junior golf program. I think we can find a replacement, but we need to get on with it and see what we can do now. "

Eileen Lota probably said it best about Las Vegas being the possible new site:

"They'll probably get more people there. And more people from Hawai'i, too. "

And you know the saying. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.