With the Fields Corporation's announcement this week that it will not renew its title sponsorship of the Fields Open has come concerns that the state's long-term relationship with Ladies Professional Golf Association may be in jeopardy.

Not so, says LPGA official Chris Higgs.

"While we are disappointed in not working with Fields in 2009, we enjoyed our three-year partnership with them in hosting the Fields Open and bringing the best players in the world to Ko Olina," said Higgs, the LPGA's senior vice president of tournament business affairs and chief operating officer, via e-mail.

The Kapalua LPGA Classic, scheduled for Oct. 13 to 19, was added this season.

The season-opening SBS Open is scheduled for Feb. 9 to 14, 2009. However, SBS's title sponsorship agreement expires after next year.

SBS is Korea's largest independent television network and production company.

On Monday, the Japan-based Fields Corp. issued a statement that said, in part: "Despite the tournament's increasing popularity and success, the Fields Corporation has decided to focus its energy on consumers in Japan."

For the past three years, the Fields Open has occupied the second spot on the LPGA schedule.

Higgs said the LPGA would consider adding another tournament if the right opportunity arose, however he stopped short of saying that the LPGA would necessarily pursue another tournament in Hawai'i.

"We have conversations with representatives from venues, sponsors and management companies that are interested in exploring the possibilities of being involved with the LPGA," he said. "It is important to have a premier venue on which to showcase the very best golfers from around the world and a partnership with a sponsor and community that will provide sustainability for years. If all of that comes together and the dates and details work, the LPGA would consider adding an event to the schedule."

The LPGA has lost at least two major events in the last couple of years due to lost sponsorships, including the Florida's Natural Championship (formerly the Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship) in Stockbridge, Ga., and the Takefuji Classic (formerly in Hawai'i) in Las Vegas.

Higgs said Hawai'i has proven a successful LPGA venue over the years.

"Hawai'i is a good market for the LPGA for players, fans and sponsors alike," Higgs said.