BTA: Estimated Economic Impact Is $220/250,000

August 27, 2015

The Bermuda golf tourism calendar received a “fourth quarter boost” with the PGA of Canada’s announcement that it will bring a new tournament to the island this fall, to be played at The Mid Ocean Club October 26-29, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said today.

“The four-day Nike Golf PGA of Canada Team Championship will feature 52 pairs of visiting golfers, along with players’ families, tournament officials, sponsors and PGA executives,” the BTA said.

“The estimated economic impact on the local economy is between $220,000 and $250,000. Despite the October timing, the event is not intended to replace the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, but provide a gateway to more activity in the Canadian golf market.

“Officials from the PGA of Canada fell in love with Bermuda and its golf product as a result of its association with the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at Turtle Hill Golf Club, an event sponsored by the BTA. During this year’s event in March, PGA executives were hosted to a round at The Mid Ocean Club by head pro Chris Grantier, a PGA of Canada member.”

“The Team Championship became a reality so quickly because Nike and the PGA of Canada love The Mid Ocean Club and Bermuda,” Mr Grantier said. “We are very excited to be hosting this inaugural event, exposing many PGA of Canada Professionals to our golf course, facilities and beautiful island.”

“The BTA sales and marketing team worked closely with on-island partners and the PGA of Canada to solidify the championship’s inaugural event in Bermuda. The Fairmont Southampton, which hosts the Grey Goose tournament, will be host hotel for this event as well,” the BTA added.

“The PGA of Canada’s association with the Grey Goose World Par 3 provided Bermuda with wide media exposure to Canada’s five million golfers. The earned media associated with this event is expected to be even greater as Canadian journalists cover this new national championship.

Shelley Meszoly, the hotel’s regional director of sales and marketing said: “Fairmont Southampton is thrilled to partner with Nike and our good friends at the PGA of Canada to be the host hotel for such a fantastic golf program. Events like this are a critically important part of Bermuda’s golf strategy and we look forward to hosting the players in October.”

“This one is right in the sweet spot for the tourism economy,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury. “We estimate 140 visitors and 400 to 500 room nights on this piece of business alone. And we expect the impact to be felt across the tourism value chain.”

Mr Hanbury said: “Canada has been a sluggish market for us this year given the country’s currency challenges. This fourth quarter activity will help us recover a little bit, while also educating the Canada market about the world class travel experiences we have available to Canadian visitors year-round.”

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Comments (9)

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  1. Oh,I see now says:

    PGA of Canada??I don’t know what is going on but everything is Canada this and Canada that in Bermuda including our two Canadian politicians.

    • I Know it says:

      Well as I understand it the idea is to outsource Bermuda to Canada as part of a public private partnership. the PLP has voiced their grave concerns and alarm.

  2. aceboy says:

    That tells me we need a bunch more of these events.

    Sadly the Grand Slam turned into an ego-fest that cost this island a fortune.

    This is a good way to start to get back “into the game” and regain some credibility.

    Bring the ladies here too! LPGA event(S)!!!

    Sanctioned amateur tournaments, college teams, Seniors events….get spectators involved in pro am tournaments and provide all sorts of hospitality. Alot of the latter can be done voluntarily (think Gold Cup hosting we had here many years ago, which led directly to the love of this island by the very people who now are coming BACK to Bermuda on AC Teams)….hell I’ll take a group out on my boat one weekend.

    So much can happen with this if we do it right.

  3. Zen says:

    Does that cover bta’s annual expenses? Lol not

  4. more than enough says:

    not even half of bills compensation package

  5. Rhonda says:

    this is great news…. but isn’t Mid Ocean a private club… I can be corrected…

    didn’t we the public purse pay heavily to create a PGA approved course…

    BTA using public funds…. to by pass a public golf course…

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      Your assumption is that the BTA picked the site, I believe the article make reference to it being the PGA who picked the venue

  6. Eve says:

    The Grey Goose event had 111 participants which is close too the number expected at Nike event so why did BTA not go public with that economic benefit of Grey Goose? BTA is only paying out a portion of the total cost of sponsoring these events and other Bermuda stakeholders are contributing too but BTA tends to take all the credit. Just looking at BTA’s contribution when calculating the economic benefit is same as fudging the books.

  7. Ann says:

    Once again, Thank you OBA for bringing back class to our Beautiful Island. It amazes me that the PLP can find fault with this too!!!