‘It’s like our Olympics’: How the US Women’s Open is expected to impact Lancaster County’s economy

In 2015, the Open drew about 134,000 spectators to Lancaster Country Club, a record breaking attendance for the Women’s Open at the time. 

• By Lisa Scheid/LNP I LancasterOnline

The USGA expects to spend $29 million to produce the U.S. Women’s Golf Open next week at Lancaster Country Club in Manheim Township, a four-day event that is estimated to inject $25 million to $35 million into the Lancaster County economy.

That immediate impact will largely come from the spending that the golf association has done locally over months of preparation and the 100,000 mostly day-trip visitors it is predicted to attract. In 2015, the Open drew about 134,000 spectators to Lancaster Country Club, a record breaking attendance for the Women’s Open at the time.

“They’re building a major city here,” said Jerry Hostetter, general chairman of the championship who helped bring it to the historic Lancaster Country Club, noting the tents, generators, catering and restroom facilities needed to pull off one of professional golf’s most important championships.

Not only are media, golfers and spectators traveling to Lancaster County for the week of the competition, but some of these workers have been living in the community for months, said Joel Cliff, spokesperson for Discover Lancaster, the county’s tourism marketing agency.

Counting on spectators

About 75% of U.S. Women’s Open attendees come from within an hour’s drive of the venue, and in Lancaster County’s case in 2015, it was 90% within 15 to 25 miles of Lancaster Country Club. Cliff said there are some pre-event lodging and dining impacts from USGA staff and vendors being here in the months building up to the tournament, and that is augmented somewhat by the players and some fans and volunteers during championship week.

How much those visitors are able to access local dining, gas stations and shopping will depend on whether they stick around after watching or working at the championship.

Hoteliers and short-term rentals are seeing an uptick in occupancy, compared to 2015 when the championship was last held in Lancaster County. The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square is completely booked – mostly with USGA staff and players, according to General Manager Josh Nowak. A full house is not unusual this time of year, Nowak said, though it is typically with leisure travelers.

Stephen Sikking, managing partner of the Eden Resort & Suites in Manheim Township, is looking to the long-term benefits beyond an uptick of occupancy.

“We are seeing a larger volume of guests coming to this Open compared to the previous time the event was held here,” Sikking said. “The overnight guest volume isn’t dramatic but there are certainly guests staying in the area and using the Eden Resort for this event. But, as typical with something that gets such great media coverage, the long term benefit to the area, I believe, will be excellent.”

‘Our Olympics’

The exposure, which may be the biggest impact of having 156 of golf’s most talented players here, may not be immediately measurable but local businesses are counting on it.

Cliff said press coverage provides an opportunity for Lancaster County’s tourism industry to insert what he called a  “broader destination” message.

Pull the Pin, a golf store in Lititz, has already shot a 30-second advertisement that will air on USA Network, said owner Tom Mattaini. He paid about $160 for the time. The store saw its best year after the 2015 Open when interest in golfing swelled regionally. Since then, the business has built a reputation for fitting golfers with the right gear during the surge in interest in the sport during the pandemic. Interest in golf locally has leveled off and Mattaini said he hopes this year’s event brings another surge.

Hostetter said showcasing the community in front of millions of viewers could bring huge benefits for tourism and talent attraction, so much so that companies here have donated a total of $4 million to be sponsors, some donating upwards of $200,000 each. Donations are up 45% over 2015, he said. For a community that had not been considered an avid golfing community, that is pretty special, he added.

Hostetter said the outpouring of volunteers (1,800 with a wait list of 500), many of whom are willing to miss work, also indicates the dedication and pride that the community feels for the event.

“It’s like our Olympics and everybody wants a piece of it,” Hostetter said. “This is really more than a golf event; it’s putting our community on the map in a big way.”

Left out

At least one business owner will be missing out on any boost from the championship and will likely see a loss. Finazzo’s Italian Restaurant owner Tony Bua said the last time the championship was in town he lost a significant amount of business because his restaurant is 2 miles east of the Lancaster Country Club along Route 23, which will be closed. Route 23, otherwise known as New Holland Pike, will be closed the week of the tournament from May 27 to June 2 between the Route 30 interchange and Eden Road from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Bua declined to say what he would make over four days but said it is in the thousands. He estimated it will most affect the lunch crowd who won’t bother to take a detour to his restaurant.

“People got a half an hour and they can’t come in here,” he said. “It was like a ghost city last time.”

He said the only contact he had with the golf event this year was someone dropping off advertising for the event.