With the Kapalua LPGA Classic announcing the folding of its tent, it is hardly too early to start worrying about the state of professional golf tournaments in Hawai'i.

Two of the five marquee ones we still have, that is.

By itself, the departure of the Kapalua event — hard to call it a "classic" after just one year — will be slightly mourned. But as an underlining symbol of the precariousness of the state's hold, its loss is a lot more disturbing. And thought provoking.

If you're counting, Hawai'i has lost three LPGA Tour events in two years: the Fields Open at Ko Olina, SBS Open at Turtle Bay and, now, Kapalua, leaving none standing. Nor are there any replacements on the horizon.

That's bad enough considering the LPGA gave the state quite a window on the golfing world, especially in the colder Mainland months.

"I think it is a huge concern," said Mark Rolfing, a former Kapalua pro who is an analyst for NBC and the Golf Channel. "Especially if there is a big legal battle with Kapalua and it precludes any kind of LPGA event coming here."

That would be bad enough for the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are contributed to charity and the opportunities lost to young golfers who follow the pros.

But now you also have to wonder if one — or both — of the PGA Tour stops might also follow the LPGA out the door. The contract for the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawai'i is up for renewal after the 2010 event and what happens there could reverberate with the only other PGA stop here, the Mercedes' replacement on Maui.

There was talk of something happening this spring but nothing has materialized. Sony spokesmen have maintained for months that a "renewal of the sponsorship is under consideration," while declining to discuss the timetable.

In the present economy, especially with Sony having reported a $1 billion loss for the fiscal year that ended in March and projections of the shortfall escalating to $1.26 billion this year, the concern grows the longer this drags on.

While SBS, turning its pique with the LPGA into a PGA deal, signed a 10-year agreement to replace Mercedes as the sponsor of one tournament, only the first year (2010) is secured in Hawai'i. After that, there might not be much to tie it here if Sony isn't around.

The Sony and Mercedes provided quite a 1-2 opening punch, even with the regular absences of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. For five years both the PGA and LPGA have begun their seasons here, giving Hawai'i a lot to showcase.

It would be a considerable loss if that stage went empty.