BARRINGTON -- The numbers for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic will not be as good for 2009, both in attendance and in raising money for charity, as they have been in the past.

"We're probably a little down," said Tom Ryan, the CVS president and CEO, "but basically it's what we planned. It's not unexpected at all. . . We'll be OK."

The event raised more than $12 million for area charities in its first 10 years, including $1.8 million in 2008, and will know in a few months what the numbers are for this year. A number of sponsors reduced their participation because of the economy, and attendance was lower than at any time in tournament history. It didn't help that the weather was poor all three days of the tourney.

The good news is that all is in place for the event to continue next year, except for the date of the tournament. Ryan and co-hosts Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade all said it's full speed ahead for next year.

"We want to continue what we have been doing, keep going and keep getting better," Andrade said.

Ryan reported that he already has made one key decision: The presence of LPGA stars not only will continue, but could increase.

"People like it," Ryan said. "We might even have more."

As is usually the case, much of the money raised for charity will come from the tournament gala held after the first round. That was moved back to Providence this year after a couple years in Newport.

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Faxon, who lives in Rhode Island all year, spoke about how he feels continuing the event is needed, not just for golf fans, but for hotels and businesses in the state.

"It seems like the state needs it now. We haven't seen it weakening," he said.

"It's just a win-win situation," Andrade agreed. "In December we'll get together, add up all this money and we're going to help out a lot of people who really need it. That's what this tournament is all about."

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Ryan told one story about what happened Monday night concerning Roger Staubach, the former Naval Academy and Dallas Cowboys' football great. Staubach has become a regular at the CVS. He has a company that helps CVS with real estate issues. As the auction held at the event was beginning, Staubach went to Ryan.

"I was sitting with Roger," Ryan related. "He said to me, 'The Giants are opening up the new stadium in Dallas in a Monday night game this year. Why don't I invite four people down? They can come to my house for dinner before the game. You think that will raise some money?'

"I told him, 'I'm sure it would,' " Ryan said. "So we wrote it down and sent it to Brad [Faxon] and Billy [Andrade], who were running the auction."

The item was announced and did, indeed, fetch a nice price. Ryan wouldn't say how nice.

And then there was more.

"The person who bid on it is going to send four kids from Make A Wish," Ryan said.

"He came up to me afterwards and said 'We won the auction for Roger. I'd like to have four kids from Make A Wish Go.'

"I don't want to say who it was, ‘' Ryan went on, "but that's what he wants. I told him, 'That's what this tournament is all about.' "

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The event planned to have four women competing this year, but ended up with six because of the loss of players from the weather-delayed U.S. Open. Rather than playing women against men, the event featured co-ed teams for the first time. Six of the 10 teams, in fact, had one man and one woman. That arrangement seemed worked well, from all indications. It likely will continue.

"Any opportunity we have to play with the men is super exciting for us," said Laura Diaz, who now has played each of the last two years. "I think we all embrace it. We're glad to be here. I just happened to have a great partner [Matt Kuchar]. It's a great golf course."

The women enjoyed being partners, but, speaking for herself, Diaz said the mixed teams worked out even better.

"I think the format is really good," Diaz said. "I had a great time."

"Everyone has fun personalities to be with," said Kuchar. "It's an exciting format from my perspective to watch how well the women hit the ball."

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The team of Diaz and Kuchar birdied the par-3 fifth hole to earn a skin in the Energizer Skins contest. Faxon and Juli Inkster got one for a bird on the long par-4 seventh.

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Some concessions were made to the poor conditions. Among others, the first tee was moved well forward, to the members tee rather than the tournament tee that is about 40 yards longer. Also, several players mentioned that pin placements were made a bit easier.

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Tourney officials released numbers on the way they have set up the course for women. It has gone from 94.8 percent in 2007, to 92.4 last year to 90.4 this year.

pkenyon @projo.com