The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which has pumped millions of dollars into Kaua'i's economy over more than a decade, is leaving the Garden Island.

The PGA of America said yesterday the tournament, which features the four major champions of the year, is leaving Poipu Bay Golf Course and will be held at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, the first time in the event's 24-year history that it will be played outside the United States.

The tournament, the only major sporting event on Kaua'i, was a powerful marketing tool for the island. The event was broadcast around the world, showcasing the island's golf courses and natural beauty.

"Two days of international television coverage ... that kind of exposure is really significant," said Kaua'i Visitors Bureau executive director Sue Kanoho. "We'll really miss their presence on the island, but hope that someday they'll come back and enjoy what Kaua'i has to offer."

Kanoho said Kaua'i is seeking other PGA or other TV sporting events that may compensate for the loss of the Grand Slam.

Tiger Woods won the Grand Slam last month for the seventh time and has said repeatedly he didn't want the event to move.

"I've always loved coming here. It's just a shame that if it doesn't happen (and) we don't come back," Woods said after the victory. "But first things first. I've got to qualify. I've got four chances next year."

The Grand Slam features the winners of the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and the British Open.

"This has been basically like one of the great vacations for us as players to come here," Woods said. "The resort's fantastic. The people that come out and watch, support, there's just genuine people here."

The tournament began in 1979 at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., and moved to Minnesota, Florida, Illinois and California before stopping at Po'ipu Bay for the past 12 years.

State tourism liaison Marsha Wienert said the PGA of America has been in discussions "for some time" about possibly moving the Grand Slam outside Hawai'i and said the move was a business decision by the PGA.

Hawaii Tourism Authority sports manager Mike Story said HTA will be working with the PGA Tour to find out the reasons behind the move.

"We're fortunate that we've been able to keep it as long as we did," Wienert said. "It's unfortunate that they have chosen to take it elsewhere. It was a great event for Hawai'i, a great event for many years, especially for the island of Kaua'i.

"It's really one of the only major televised events (on Kaua'i) that really could showcase the beauty of the island. And so it's going to have a marketing impact because they now don't have that television coverage, but it's also going to have an economic impact."

Wienert said the event also was beneficial because it drew visitors during tourism's slower period.

Economic impact figures for last month's event were not immediately available, but HTA's Mike Story said the event in 2005 is estimated to have generated about $2.4 million in visitor spending. The event brings in about $150,000 in tax revenues. The state spent about $255,000 this year to market and support the tournament.

Story said HTA will work with PGA Tour officials to try to replace the Grand Slam with another tournament on Kaua'i.

"We have tournaments on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island," he said. "Kaua'i really has a lot to offer. It has world-class resorts and golf courses, so we definitely want to bring them into the fold."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.