"Were the decision made to move the ceremony out of market, it would be done to heighten the profile of the World Golf Village and World Golf Hall of Fame..."

Garry Smits talks to local businesses that wouldn't be happy about the World Golf Hall of Fame induction leaving St. Augustine. Since the state of Florida chipped in to get the place built, I'm guessing they won't be thrilled either.

They've at least narrowed down dates.

"We have targeted the time period between the end of March and the first of June," said Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the Hall of Fame, of the new date for the ceremony.

The final decision will be made by the World Golf Foundation board, which is composed of executives from the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, United States Golf Association, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the European PGA Tour and the Augusta National Golf Club. Shell, the founding corporate sponsor of the Hall of Fame, also has a seat on the board.

Peter said ballots for the next induction class, which usually go out in January, will be mailed to voters in early June. The final decision on the induction ceremony date — and site — could be made as early as the week of the U.S. Open, June 17-20.

Peter said a possible move to New York has been discussed in foundation board meetings.

"It's too soon to speculate," he said. "No decisions have been, made and right now we're only concerned with the feasibility of the date.

"... Were the decision made to move the ceremony out of market, it would be done to heighten the profile of the World Golf Village and World Golf Hall of Fame and to promote the village in other parts of the country."

Couldn't you solve that by having a more extensive television presence and better date without leaving the World Golf Village?