RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — If its anything like years past, the U.S. Open Golf Championship is expected to bring a big economic boost to Pinehurst and surrounding areas, including Randolph County.
Wednesday is the last day of practice for one of the most important golf tournaments of the year. Legends like Tiger Woods have already been spotted in Moore County.
The tournament attracts thousands of fans to the area, some of which will seek nearby cities and towns for lodging, like Asheboro. The Randolph County Tourism Development Authority said the last time the U.S. Open was in Pinehurst, it brought about an economic boost.
The last time the tournament was in Pinehurst was back in 2004. At that time, The Open played back-to-back with the U.S. Women's Open Championship. Back then the governor's office reported a total economic impact of more than $238 million.
Since then, the tourism authority said the area has made more accommodations for fans.
"We have had additions to our hotel industry including short term rentals. I think a lot of folks are utilizing those short-term rentals as they do with High Point furniture market. We've had some additional hotels come online since that previous event. The impact that we saw effected our small businesses and our downtown areas as well as our retail and gas stations even. Folks had to fill their tanks up before they drove that hour down to Pinehurst from our area," said Executive Director, Amber Scarlett.
Scarlett said at last check, three properties were sold out this week.
Pam Kinney, the owner of Central Bakery in downtown Asheboro recalled what it was like a decade ago when the tournament was in Pinehurst.
"You just see a lot more downtown and when they're walking downtown, they come in here its mostly just like drop in business it's not like calling and ordering," Kinney recalled.
Across the street from the Central Bakery is Frankie Mortan's Keepers of Time Clock Store. He said he started noticing people coming in for the tournament already this week.
"We have a lot of people come in and say they're on their way down to the open and we do what we can to encourage people to come back to Randolph County," said Mortan.
Again, the last day of practice is Wednesday, the tournament will begin Thursday.