The El Paso County Board of Commissioners voted to apply $100,000 from a special economic development fund to help promote the 2008 U.S. Senior Open Golf Tournament coming to Colorado Springs.Approval of the allocation was the last piece to secure the prestigious international event and it completed a series of negotiations between the event’s host the Broadmoor Hotel, the city, county, state officials and the United States Golf Association. The U.S. Senior Open is scheduled at the Broadmoor’s historic east course July 3 through July 6, 2008. Colorado Springs competed with five other cities to host the event.The USGA has served as the national governing body of golf for the U.S., U.S. territories and Mexico since its formation in 1894. The association sponsors a variety of programs, from 13 yearly national championships to writing and interpreting the “Rules of Golf” to funding turf grass and course maintenance practices to supporting grassroots programs through its “For the Good of the Game” initiative. USGA officials require bid cities to commit resources prior to a tournament’s site selection to ensure community support.El Paso County Board Chairman Jim Bensberg said that no taxpayer funds will be used for marketing the tournament. “The economic development fund is made up of private donations, and is to be used exclusively for projects such as this,” Bensberg said.According to the USGA, the financial impact of this event has been phenomenal in other states, such as the use of 7,000 hotel rooms for seven nights and, per past event records, $1 million in restaurant revenues for a total infusion of $30 million into the local economy.Steve Bartolin, president of the Broadmoor Hotel, said, ” I can’t think of any single thing the county could invest $100,000 of economic development money in and get the financial impact this event will bring to our city and county. The county commissioners’ commitment demonstrates to the USGA that our community is solidly behind this national championship.”
