PALM HARBOR, Fla. - First they took away the crowds.

Then they took away the entire event.

Golf is a game ensconced in quiet demeanor. In fact, it demands quiet during critical shots. But to silence the entire Valspar Championship seems cruel.

"It’s definitely a gut punch, for sure," said Valspar Tournament Director Tracy West.

The countdown to Valspar ended at three. Just three days from the start of the annual event at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, the PGA canceled all tournaments.

"We’re really sorry actually for the fans, you know, that aren’t able to come out and enjoy the tournament, aren’t able to come out this year and see the world’s finest golfers," West said.

Some of the top golfers in the world were set to take on the Copperhead Course, including the world’s No. 3 ranked player Brooks Koepka, No. 5 ranked Dustin Johnson, defending back-to-back champion Paul Casey and 2015 Valspar champ Jordan Spieth, who committed to play just before PGA officials pulled the plug.

"We had a really, really tremendous field of players," West said. "I would get comments from them and phone calls, can’t wait to be there. And now today, it’s been more calls and texts that they’re disappointed."

It’s not just fans and players missing out. The economic impact will be the biggest gut punch. Each year, the Copperhead Charities donates millions to local organizations. In total, the event has helped pay out more than 43 million dollars to Tampa Bay area charities.

"It’s going to take a couple of months to figure this all out, but the tour is going to be here for us," West said. "And they’re going to be here for our charities and the Tampa Bay region."

The tournament offices were a hub of activity on Friday, but for a different reason. Boxes of promotional items, bibs for caddies, all packed up for next year. Normally West is running around checking off last minute to do lists. Instead, she’s preparing the most colorful PGA Tournament in the World not for next week, for next year.

"For us, the silver lining is that we knew we were going to have a great tournament," West said. "The silver lining is, it’s not happening, but we knew we had a great week. Our field was the strongest field we’ve ever had.

"And I think the silver lining is the players that I’ve spoken with today, saying, hey, we’re with you and we’re going to be back in 2021."