The 2009 Tradition, one of five major championships on professional golf’s over-50 circuit, is scheduled to be played August 17-23 at Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater Club.
In a nutshell the JELD-WEN Tradition is a huge bonus for Central Oregon’s economy. The unofficial numbers estimated 30,000 spectators at previous tournaments with an estimated economic impact of $10 million.
The direct economic impact is determined by the spending by out-of-town guests on hotel rooms, meals, retail shopping, local transportation and other entertainment along with the operating expenditures of the tournament itself.
And then there is the indirect economic effect from suppliers in the region who provide materials and services to the printers, event concessions providers, tent installers, hotels, restaurants, etc. for the tournament committee and the tournament attendees.
An added benefit might be the visiting golfers who decide to purchase a new home in the area (at our bargain prices now) as a result of attending the event and enjoying the lifestyle and superb golf courses of Central Oregon.
When world-renown golfers Tom Watson and Greg Norman arrive in Sunriver for the 2009 Tradition Central Oregon will become the center of attention, at least in the golf world. (The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel and NBC Sports to over 5 million households.)
Watson made headlines last month when he finished second to Stewart Cink in a playoff at the 138th British Open Championship. He will be making his ninth appearance at the Tradition. Norman is one of the most recognizable figures in professional golf and this is his first appearance the Jeld-Wen Tradition. He is a 20-time winner on the PGA Tour, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a two-time British Open champion.
But that’s only part of the story because all of this tournament’s net proceeds will benefit innovative, educational nonprofits throughout Oregon. Thus far, the JELD-WEN Tradition Foundation has distributed more than $1.6 million to charity.
The JELD-WEN Tradition Charity Ticket Program is fully underway with 68 Oregon nonprofit organizations currently registered. A daily ticket is $20, a week-long pass just $40 and you can go online and select the charity you want your purchase to go to. If you haven’t attended a tournament like this before, you’re in for a real experience, even if you’re not a golfer!
For more details, including a complete list of participating organizations and information on how to purchase tickets visit www.jeld-wentradition.com. PHA
