Golf

The Texas State Open will return to The Cascades Golf Club in 2009.

Darrell Crall, executive director of the Northern Texas PGA, and Steve Braley, president of The Cascades, reached agreement on a one-year deal Wednesday afternoon with an option for future years.

The date for next year’s Texas State Open is July 16-19, 2009.

Crall said securing a title sponsor remains the only missing element.

Even so, the event has reached a new level since coming to The Cascades in 2006.

“We found a host property that could get a golf course into truly Open Championship conditions, what you see on the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour and the Champions Tour,” Crall said. “That was step one.

“No. 2 is to partner with the city of Tyler because they have embraced the Championship as their own, which is critical to our success. Third is to have media partners both in print and television to tell the story in a way that people are recognizing it on the same level as a PGA Tour-type event.

“We’re fortunate to have high quality financial partners at a presenting sponsor level and that’s taken us to the next level.”

Braley said the possibility of keeping the event at The Cascades permanently is flattering.

“That is a big commitment, and because of (the NTPGA’s) professionalism, we’re trying to figure out a way to do that,” Braley said.

For the 2009 event, Braley said The Cascades will be able to offer a new clubhouse, spa and lake club.

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Joe Buie