It goes because a new date for the event on the WTA schedule was troublesome, too close to the area's professional golf tournament for logistic comfort. Quaint tradition doesn't compete well with large quantities of money. So, the Family Circle Cup leaves the place it was born and where it spent 26 of its 28 years, the ultimate passing shot landing in Hilton Head's court. That happens all the time in sports. Players are traded.
Teams change cities.
The games only get bigger and the little places they're played only have a harder time competing with the opportunities available elsewhere. That's why the FCC took a bigger offer from up the road. And why the PGA Tour has at least been sniffing into the possibility of moving the MCI Classic from Harbour Town to a yet unbuilt TPC course between Hilton Head and Savannah. It's only a threat, but today's move stresses how seriously it should be taken, how close this island is to not having either of its signature events. There was that sense all week here, that something sad was happening.