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Economic Impact Of PGA Event Bigger Than Expected

The PGA Championship held in Rochester this past summer had an even bigger economic impact than originally thought. That according to a new report put out by Greater Rochester Enterprise, which was released through the Governor's office.

The study shows that instead of the estimated $78 million in economic impact from the August event, the impact was more like $102 million. The President of GRE, Mark Peterson, says the reason for the bigger impact is due mainly to a couple of factors, including attendance, which totaled about 225,000, higher than originally expected, and merchandise sales, which totaled about $28 million.

And he says this event will have a long lasting positive impact for the Rochester area as well, because the PGA championship put a worldwide spotlight on this region.

"The PGA of America estimates over a billion people, more than 500 million households watched the PGA championship, and got a firsthand look at all that  the Greater Rochester region has to offer ."

Governor Cuomo says the state is also looking forward to the fact that the 2019 PGA Championship and the 2024 Ryder Cup are both being played at Bethpage State Park on Long Island.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.