By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Grayhawk Golf Club and its award-winning golf course is playing host to both the NCAA Men’s & Women’s Division 1 National Golf Championships at the tail-end of May 2023 and into the first week of June as some of the best collegiate golfers are due back in town.
“The two-week tournament features 30 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams and qualifying individuals from around the county,” said Scottsdale Tourism Manager Steve Geiogamah in his report to Scottsdale City Council earlier this month. “Grayhawk Golf Club currently has a two-year event funding agreement for the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Men’s & Women’s Golf Division National Championship. Attendance for the 2021 tournament was over 15,000 and media value was over $750,000.”
Scottsdale City Council Wednesday, July 6, approved a $75,000 allocation of Tourism Development funds to aid in hosting the event at the renowned local golf course. Those funds are derived from bed-tax remits and meant to seed and fund approved events for no longer than a three-year period, city officials say.
— Steve Geiogamah, Scottsdale Tourism
“Anticipated tournament attendance is over 15,000 with NBC Golf Channel coverage over two-weeks. Estimated NBC Golf tournament promotion is valued at $8 million and measured Scottsdale PR value is estimated to be over $750,000. Anticipated room nights generated from the tournament is over 4,000 nights.”
Mr. Geiogamah says both staff and the Tourism Development Commission recommended approval of the municipal contract.
“The 2023 NCAA golf tournament takes place May 20-June 1, 2023,” he said adding next year’s anticipated increased metrics.
“Anticipated tournament attendance is over 15,000 with NBC Golf Channel coverage over two-weeks. Estimated NBC Golf tournament promotion is valued at $8 million and measured Scottsdale PR value is estimated to be over $750,000. Anticipated room nights generated from the tournament is over 4,000 nights.”
Mr. Geiogamah says both staff and the Tourism Development Commission, recommended approval of the marketing contract.
“City staff has evaluated the proposal to identify the benefits for the city and the local tourism industry and has identified a public purpose for the city’s expenditure,” he said.
“The marketing and promotional benefits provide direct consideration substantially equal to the proposed city’s expenditure. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the event producer will provide the city a post event report that will provide an evaluation of the producer’s performance under the event funding agreement as well as the benefits to the city and the public achieved.”
