2014 U.S. Open Championships Economic Impact Hits Nearly $240 Million in Total Gross Expenditures | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory announced today the positive results of a study measuring the statewide economic impact of the unprecedented back-to-back 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open Championships, conducted by the United States Golf Association at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina June 9-22, 2014. The report highlights include total estimated spending from visitors and the set-up and operations of the championships to be in excess of $140 million during the two-week celebration, with a total economic impact based on direct, indirect and induced outputs of more than $238 million.

    "The state of North Carolina helped deliver a world-class event and the economic impact of the back-to-back championships reflects the outstanding success of this collaborative effort," said Governor McCrory. "We are already looking forward to the next major USGA event in our great state."

    The study, researched and completed by Gene Brothers, Ph. D, associate professor of equitable and sustainable tourism with North Carolina State University, concludes that the state and regional areas experienced significant economic boost as a result of pre-event staging activities and visitor spending over the two championship weeks. The study's breakdown of direct and indirect expenditures for the two-week period encompassed a 26-county region. Lodging, food and beverage, shopping, retail, construction, ground transportation and recreation activities are among the categories reviewed.

    "Pinehurst Resort and the USGA, along with community and state supporters left attendees with a new appreciation of how a world-class event should be staged," said Caleb Miles, president and chief executive officer of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This strong visitor approval registered loud and clear at cash registers across the state and demonstrated the strength of the tourism brand in the state/region."

    Data was collected from a variety of sources, including on-site electronic kiosks that surveyed more than 10,000 spectators on spending habits during the championship weeks.

    "The 2014 U.S. Open Championships was a collaborative effort between the United States Golf Association, state, county and local officials, especially in the areas of tourism, transportation and law enforcement," said USGA Senior Managing Director for Open Championships and Association Relations Mike Butz. "This review validates the success of the championships and the importance of our long-standing relationship with the Pinehurst Resort to the local Sandhills region."

    Pinehurst Resort and Country Club's Course No. 2 has now hosted three U.S. Open Championships (1999, 2005, 2014), one U.S. Women's Open (2014) and one U.S. Senior Open (1994). Martin Kaymer won this year's U.S. Open, while Michelle Wie claimed the U.S. Women's Open title one week later.

    The USGA will return to Pinehurst for the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship May 27-31, 2017.

    Click here for a link to the executive summary.