THE PGA IS COMING; BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT IN SC EVER

June 7, 2011: Roger Warren, Chairman of the PGA Championship of 2012, told us about its coming to the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island next August. This event is one of the 4 MAJOR golfing events of the year, which include the US Open, the Masters and the British Open. It is the first major EVER to be played in SC; 97 of 100 top world golfers will compete.

Economic impact: 210,000 spectators, $167 million regional impact with $4.1 million just in Charleston area. There will be 154 hours of live TV in the US along with broadcasts to 200 countries, a far bigger impact than the Ryder Cup of 1991. Most visitors will stay in downtown Charleston; 5000 rooms are already reserved.

Fun facts: 250,000 bottles of water and 200,000 cups of beer will be served, along with 70,000 hot dogs. 50,000 burgers and 295 tons of ice. There will be 225 Mercedes automobiles in use by players and sponsors and 9 miles of gallery rope and 6 miles of chain link fence used.

Tickets: For the first time in PGA history ticket sales will be limited to assure that the visitors can enjoy the action; 30,000 per day will be on hand and 96% of the tickets were sold in the initial 6 week advance period. Saturday is SOLD OUT. The remaining tickets will be offered on-line the moment the last putt is played at the 2011 Championship in Atlanta. The web site is: www.PGA2012.com Remaining tickets are expected to be sold in 2 days. 100 companies have bought group packages, 65% of whom are from outside the Charleston area. The 18th hole is sold out.

Publicity: This event will put Charleston on the world scene like never before, both through visitors and the world-wide television coverage. By comparison, the 2012 event sold more tickets in one day than were sold for the entire 2011 event in Atlanta.

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee