In the face of a teetering economy, the climate is still more than fair for major golf events, according to Tim Iley.

Iley, the executive director of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, said the tournament that opened the door for the PGA’s Champions Tour is coming off its best year — and it expects to be in Savannah for a while.

“The golf tournament has been so successful here,” he said.

The state of the nation’s economy and the affect it’s had on corporations that have long sponsored sporting events, particularly golf tournaments, won’t be a factor with the Legends of Golf, according to Iley.

“This is a small market for a tournament of this magnitude,” he said. “But there are enough businesses and people who love golf here. I think if we had more national sponsors, we’d be in trouble.”

Unlike most events on any of the PGA’s tours, the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a team event and not individual play. The Legends, which started with a team-play format, returned to its roots last year, and it was a resounding success.

“We saw TV ratings go up, the fun level was up and the spectator numbers were up,” Iley said. “This is a unique event and something people want to see. The players want to be loose.”

The tournament begins April 20 with the Demaret Division teeing off at 8:30 a.m. The opening ceremonies for the Legends and Raphael divisions will be April 24, with the Raphael Division finishing the next day and the Legends Division teams completing play on April 26.

The Demaret Division is for golfers 70 years old and older. The Raphael Division players are between 50 and 69 years old, and the Legends Division players have to be at least 50, which is the minimum age for Champions Tour members.

Tom Watson and Andy North paired to win the Legends last year, with former PGA Tour members and current commentators Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie winning the Raphael Division. Al Geiberger and Jimmy Powell won the Demaret Division.

Watson and North, with a combined 10 major victories on the PGA Tour, are expected to defend their title this year. Watson and North had won three consecutive Raphael Division titles before moving to the Legends Division last year. The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf had been an individual tournament championship from 2002-07.

Former British Open champion Tom Lehman is expected to make his Champions Tour debut at the event, joining two-time Masters champ Bernhard Langer. Raymond  Floyd and Ben Crenshaw, with three Masters green jackets between them, also are expected to team up for the event.

“We’ll have at least 14 World Golf Hall of Fame members (in the field),” Iley said. “It’s a great opportunity to see the greatest names compete and a short drive to an event of this magnitude.”

The contract for Savannah to host the tourney is up next year and negotiations are under way to extend the deal.

“All the signs are there that this is here for a long time,” Iley said. “This is just a great site for golf.”

The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf began in 1978 and has called Savannah home since 2003. Since coming to the Coastal Empire, it has been played at the Savannah Harbor course on Hutchinson Island.

For the Legends Division players, the Savannah Harbor layout will play to a par 72 at 7,087 yards. The Raphael Division members will play the course at 6,742 yards and the Demaret Division will tee off at 6,177 yards. All divisions will play a two-man, better-ball format.

“We’re looking forward to a great week,” Iley said.

The Tickets Fore Charity program allows local organizations to partner with the event to raise money, with 75 percent going to the charity and 25 percent to the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. Any day tickets will be $20 while Emerald Club ticket books will be $75. The Birdie package — 20 any day tickets — is $300 and the Eagle package — 50 any day tickets — is $500.

For more information, visit the Web sites www.lmlog.com or www.pgatour.com and click on Tour schedules, then Champions Tour and then on Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.