Archive for the Golf Category 
2009 PacAm Golf Classic Packs a Powerful Economic Punch
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009Bend Bugle News Reports
BEND, OREGON – The 13th year of the Northwest Dodge Dealers Pacific Amateur Golf Classic pushed back on the national economic recession this week to provide a tremendous boost to the Central Oregon economy over the week-long event.
“It is exciting that the Pacific Amateur Golf Classic, held in the midst of a national recession, has beat the economic downturn by welcoming the third largest field in the 13-year history of the event,” stated Alana Audette, President & CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association. “The resiliency of golfers, the commitment of our sponsors and the quality and reputation developed by the PacAm over the years has been a formula for success for this event,” continued Audette.
The 13th Annual Northwest Dodge Dealers Pacific Amateur Golf Classic, welcomed a participant field of 665 golfers, accompanied by more than 339 friends/family, 129 corporate sponsor representatives and two-dozen representatives from local, statewide and national media.
An annual detailed survey of NWDD Pacific Amateur attendee’s measures economic impact statistics:
665 registered participants accompanied by 339 friends and family
129 corporate sponsor representatives from across the nation
24 media representatives
Average length of stay for a PacAm guest is 5 nights
Average daily expenditure for PacAm guests is $234.00 per day, per person for accommodations, recreation, dining and shopping expenditures.
1157 people @ $234.00 in expenditures daily for an average length of stay of 5+ nights equates to direct economic impacts of $1.35 million. In addition, the press exposure for Central Oregon as a golf destination which is generated by the Pacific Amateur golf classic is in excess of $500,000.00 in earned media exposure in publications including Golf Digest, Golf World, Inside Golf, Golf Northwest, Pacific Northwest Golfer and Golf Today.
The PacAm is open to any individual who possesses an established USGA handicap. For registration and scoring information, visit www.pacamgolf.com.
In addition to the direct economic impact, the COVA Charity Festival of Golf held last night during the kick off for the 2009 PacAm raised another $10,520.00 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon local operations, taking the multi-year total raised for local charity above the $100,000 mark. This charitable component of the PacAm has become a highlight of the event where our visitors help COVA give back to Central Oregon charitable non-profits.
The Central Oregon Visitors Association (COVA) was established in 1971 to serve as the non-profit tourism Destination Marketing Organization for the region. Currently, COVA services more than 500 member businesses in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, implementing an annual budget of approximately $1.8 million in tourism destination marketing.
