Officials said Wednesday they have $3.75 million of the $4 million required to fund the event. The tournament will be held July 21-27 at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell.
GHO chairwoman Cindy Demma said other commitments have not been tallied, and that would provide the additional $250,000. If they don't, the Connecticut Development Authority has agreed to lend the tournament any money needed to bridge the gap.
Gov. John G. Rowland said the state can justify the loan because the GHO has a large impact on Connecticut's economy.
'This is an economic engine,'' Rowland said. 'The economic impact is well over $25 million.''
The PGA Tour sent the GHO a letter Wednesday, confirming it has been added to the 2003 calendar, said Roger Gelfenbien, chairman of the GHO title sponsor advisory group.
Canon had sponsored the tournament for 18 years, before pulling out after the 2002 GHO. The tournament is looking for a new title sponsor, Gelfenbien said.
The tournament has been held for 51 years and draws some of the largest galleries on tour.