Virtually all coverage of the 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship shifted from process to results as the golf tournament approached its end with a May 27 birthday win by Minjee Lee of Perth Australia. The numbers nicely tell the story of final competition separating her from In-Kyung Kim and Moriya Jutanugarn on the final leaderboard. [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Beyond the professional and financial advantages available to players, however, real monetary benefits to Washtenaw County, Michigan as host venue are equally impressive. During setup for example, Aaron Flickinger of Global Golf Management told Saline Journal that he had retained four separate local contractors with almost two dozen workers in order to effectuate necessary transformations of the Travis Pointe Country Club grounds. [7,8,9,10,11]
That action wasn’t limited to Lodi Township and Ann Arbor. Following the tournament, Jeff Tapp of X Golf Ann Arbor in Eastgate Saline reported: “Katherine Perry played golf at the store while here and was even fitted for new Callaway clubs.” [12,13]
Saline Mayor Brian Marl firmly believes that there is an “opportunity to partner and collaborate more effectively” with the organizers. “I think regional and national events like the LPGA Championship are critically important to the Saline community. They have a positive impact on the local economy, while bringing additional people and recognition to our area.
“I would love to explore ways that this event could further strengthen and stimulate the local economy.”
Now rounding out its third year, logistics during the Championship itself were also a matter of disciplined routine. We’ve reported on the role of the United States Navy. But the on-site deployment of Washtenaw County Sheriff deputies deserves highlighted recognition as well. [14,15]
Sheriff Jerry Clayton told Saline Journal that “The week of the Volvik Challenge went extremely well. The attendees came from all over Michigan as well as some from Canada, Indiana and Ohio. Our Deputy Sheriff’s commented on the enjoyable interactions and how everyone they spoke to expressed how great a time they were having. [16]
“From a public safety perspective, the week was fairly uneventful. We had two heat-related minor medical issues, but both subjects refused further treatment. We had one elderly women who was struck with a golf ball in the leg on the 18th hole; she received medical treatment on her own but sustained no major medical issue from the impact. No other issues during the week ….
“It was wonderful having such a nice crowd attend this event in Washtenaw County.”
For an anticipated 2019 return, the City of Saline will be prepared to up the ante with the offering of a brand new Best Western Premier hotel. Widely acknowledged as a game changer here, Managing Partner Mark Kuykendall readily stated that “the LPGA is one among a number of ‘high-end’ demand generators that appealed to us in developing the Saline hotel ….” [17]
As someone who himself has worked for over two decades in the travel and tourism industry, he well appreciates the unique value of this area as regularly emphasized by LPGA Volvik Championship management. Mr Kuykendall emphasized that Travis Pointe “is joined at the hip” with the City of Saline, “one of the most highly rated communities in the state.” [18,19]
For direction on getting the word out on these amenities, start with a half-dozen of our own more active followers on Instagram. They are already advancing powerful on-point visual marketing that makes this case. [20]
- Cheese Shop of Saline [21]
- Matty J’s Bakery [22]
- Pineapple House [23]
- Powerhouse Gym Saline 24/7 [24]
- Smokehouse 52 [25]
- The News Arts and Antiques [26]
Brian Marl summarized the broader area package as follows. “In addition to outstanding restaurants, and the county’s most impressive movie theater, we have high quality parks and a number of recreation opportunities.” [27,28]
Now that it’s the middle of June, it is appropriate for thinking to focus more heavily on process once again. The window appears open for serious discussion of what opportunities Saline businesses might want to pursue if interested in having greater growing the mutual advantages that come with with hosting a world class golf tournament in Lodi Township. [29,30]
“LPGA Championship is a marvelous event,” Mayor Marl said to Saline Journal. “In my judgement, all the participates are tremendous athletes, and I applaud all those who help to make this event a success. I would be happy to meet personally with any individuals or groups, especially if it will result in economic benefits for our community.”
For a refresher on what could be in store for next year, check out the #lpgavolvik hashtag on Instagram for another look back at 2018.
References
- “Jaye Marie Green” LPGA.
- “Final Round Highlights from 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship” Judy Rankin and Grant Boone (May 27, 2018) Golf Channel.
- “2018 LPGA Volvik Championship” (May 27, 2018) Fox Sports.
- “Minjee Lee” LPGA.
- “In-Kyung Kim” LPGA.
- “Moriya Jutanugarn” LPGA.
- “Volvik LPGA Commerical 2018” LPGA Volvik Championship (April 10, 2018) YouTube.
- “There’s One Hole at 2018 LPGA Volvik Where Every Putt is a Guaranteed Win – for CS Mott Children’s Hospital” Dell Deaton (May 18, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “The LPGA Volvik Championship” Volvik Championship.
- “LPGA Volvik Championship Offered More Than Athletic Competition” (May 31, 2018) Golf Blogger.
- “LPGA Volvik sees attendance uptick in its third year in Ann Arbor” Tyler Clifford (May 28, 2018) Crain’s Detroit Business.
- X Golf Ann Arbor (home page).
- “Katherine Perry” LPGA.
- “2018 LPGA Volvik Championship Continues Tradition of Honoring Military on Ninth Green” Dell Deaton (May 26, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Sheriff’s Office: Washtenaw County Michigan (home page).
- “Jerry L Clayton” Washtenaw County Michigan.
- “Lucy Ann Lance Updates Her Radio Audience on Saline Hotel Progress” Dell Deaton (January 25, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “68. Saline, MI” (2009) CNN Money.
- “Saline, Michigan” Sperling’s Best Places.
- “salinejournal” Instagram.
- “cheeseshopofsaline” Instagram.
- “mattyjsbakery” Instagram.
- “pineapplehousesaline” Instagram.
- “powerhousegym_saline” Instagram.
- “sh52bbq” Instagram.
- “thenewsartsandantiques” Instagram.
- “Emagine Saline” Emagine Entertainment.
- “Parks” Saline.
- “LPGA commissioner optimistic Ann Arbor will host 2019 tournament” Tom Lang (May 24, 2018) Detroit Free Press.
- “Planning for 2019 LPGA event in Ann Arbor underway without title sponsor” Ryan Zuke (May 28, 2018) mLive.
