CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The familiar green-and-white wooden sign that reserves the closest parking spot to the Greenbrier Golf Club for World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Watson could soon have another name.
Greenbrier owner Jim Justice, who inherited Watson as the resort's professional emeritus when the billionaire coal magnate purchased the struggling property, said the golf club and Watson are parting ways.
His agreement with Justice and the Greenbrier has expired and was not renewed.
"Although Tom has been a great emeritus to the Greenbrier, it is very expensive and Tom's time is very limited," Justice said via phone. "He's a great man ... a great, great man and his accomplishments are world-renown, but his time is very limited and considering the component of how difficult it is for him to be at the Greenbrier and the economics of it, it's probably better for all parties that we go a different way."
Justice hasn't named a replacement and attempts to reach Watson were unsuccessful.
In April 2005, Watson became just the second player in the club's history to hold the title of professional emeritus, three years after the death of the first, Sam Snead.
Every year since, Watson has competed in most majors. The Masters (2006-14) and the British Open, also known as the Open Championship, have been part of his regular competition schedule except for two years (2007, '11) when he skipped the British. Watson, who had hip replacement surgery in 2008, began competing in the Greenbrier Classic in 2011 and participated in the U.S. Open (2010, '14), the PGA Championship (2013-14) twice each and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (2007) and RBC Heritage (2014) once each the last 10 seasons. On the senior circuit, the Champions Tour, Watson has played in 94 events since 2006 and has competed in a total of 26 on the PGA Tour.
Additionally, Watson writes columns for Golf Digest and helps design golf courses. A popular motivational speaker, Watson receives a minimum of $50,001 per event, which also commands his time.
Justice said he preferred a golf pro to have the ability to give lessons and remain on site much of the season. Watson isn't expected to continue hosting the annual Tom Watson Fall Golf Classic or compete in the Greenbrier Classic. After all, he has played in only two regular PGA Tour events - not including the Classic - in 10 years.
"We thank Tom and (wife) Hilary, in every way, shape and fashion," Justice said. "Being the golf emeritus at the Greenbrier, we would like them to be there a lot and that's an absolute impossibility with Tom."
Watson, winner of eight majors and the only golf emeritus under Justice's ownership of the Greenbrier, had seen the best and worst of times at the iconic property.
On March 20, 2009, the 10,000-acre resort - listing debt of almost $500 million and assets of $100 million - filed for bankruptcy.
While the Marriott Corporation was negotiating to purchase the property, Justice swooped in and outbid the hotel giant.
The 63-year-old Justice, who made his fortune in the timber and coal business, then persuaded the PGA Tour to bring one of its events to White Sulphur Springs, beginning the tournament's current run after it replaced the Buick Open on the tour's schedule. In 2012, the original six-year contract for the July tournament was extended through 2021.
Watson was part of "America's Resort" that included the C.B. MacDonald-designed Old White layout, which became part of the Tour Players Club (TPC) network in 2012, the same year the Classic was moved to the week of July 4th.
Watson, whose ties to the resort date to 1979 when the Greenbrier hosted the Ryder Cup matches, didn't participate in the first Classic because it was the same week as the U.S. Senior Open, but has played in every one since. The 65-year-old has improved his position each summer from being tied at 119 in 2011 to a T35 last year. In 2014, his 515th career made cut was at the Classic.
It was at the 2014 Greenbrier Classic that Watson was officially extended a special exemption into the British Open, which will be his 40th - and likely last - appearance at the Open Championship.
So far this season, Watson has played in two Champions Tour events, tying for 21st at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and 56th at the Tucson Conquistadores Classic.
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Rich Stevens at richstevens@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-4837. Follow him on Twitter @richdailymail