PGA Championship impact recalculated, nears $200 million

Charleston Regional Business Journal
Staff
June 24, 2011

The 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is expected to generate an overall economic impact of $193 million for South Carolina, according to officials with the tournament.

An economic impact study by the College of Charleston School of Business estimated that the seven-day event will attract an estimated 50,278 out-of-town visitors with more than $92 million in direct spending.

The overall impact has been recalculated to include an additional $101 million from the direct and indirect labor force that will be required to put on the event and the value of media exposure.

The PGA of America said the influx of visitors to local businesses will produce $26 million in labor income and support 832 jobs.

The tournament is expected to generate more than $75 million in media exposure. Some 154 hours of TV coverage is expected to be viewed in 580 million households worldwide in more than 200 countries. CBS, TNT and the Golf Channel are broadcasting the 2012 PGA Championship, and online broadcasts and recaps will add to the coverage.

The PGA Championship could be the largest sporting event to come to South Carolina, with 210,000 spectators. Tournament officials said pre-tournament sales efforts have put the 2012 PGA Championship on track to be the No. 1 seller in PGA history.

“Only 6% of tickets and 23% of corporate hospitality options remain,” 2012 PGA Championship director Brett Sterba said in a statement. “Excitement for the tournament is evident, as the championship has set and broken five single-day ticket records, with the largest-grossing day nearly tripling the sales record on file.”

PGA economic scorecard

The 2012 PGA Championship is expected to have a $193 million economic impact on South Carolina, with direct and indirect spending and media exposure.

$92 million: Direct spending by 50,278 visitors.

$26 million: Labor income, which supports 832 jobs.

$75 million: Value of estimated media exposure expected to come from more than 154 hours of TV coverage.

Source: PGA of America

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