This week, the attention of the golf world is on Augusta. Next week, that focus will shift to Athens.
Okay, maybe not totally. But somewhat.
Indeed, the Athens-area's largest professional sports event arrives next week with the Athens Regional Foundation Classic, a Nationwide Tour event. This is the third year for the event, and it has grown dramatically each year. In 2007 it was a leader in both attendance and media coverage for the entire tour. This year more than 70 media with more than 20 organizations have already registered to cover the event.
A testimony to the quality of the event is the fact that Brandt Snedeker, a participant in the inaugural ARFC (who I was lucky enough to meet in the press room), was at the top of the leaderboard today in Augusta. The fact is, Athens has a remarkable number of outstanding golf courses -- including The Georgia Club, Athens Country Club, and the University of Georgia Golf Club -- that provide some great golf for local residents and visitors.
The tournament also reminds me of what a strong sports town Athens is and what that means for our economy. Whether it is UGA Football games in the fall, the myriad UGA spring and winter sports, or other events like ARFC, Twilight, the Athens Eco-Adventure Challenge, weekend road races, and high school sports, this area is a hub for athletics, and this is great for community marketing, economic development, and tourism.
No comments:
Post a Comment