Amateur Golf Championship Brings Cash Boost To South Wales Economy

The 121stAmateur Championship gets underway from 13-18 June at the Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig golf clubs, and is set to bring a £500,000 cash boost to the South Wales economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

An independent event impact study, commissioned by championship organiser The R&A, from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre calculates that 3,500 commercial bed nights are required to accommodate 288 competitors from 34 countries taking part. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In addition to the cash injection, direct into the local economy, golf tourism locally will benefit from four days of television highlights broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and via local satellite service providers in other territories. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The R&A’s Executive Director – Championships, Johnnie Cole-Hamilton said: “The Amateur Championship receives a warm welcome wherever it is staged and we are delighted that it also makes a significant contribution to golf tourism locally. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The majority of the field will be facing the test of these fine Welsh links courses for the first time and it is a great opportunity for spectators to see the top flight in the amateur game in action.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Bridgend County Borough Council Leader, Councillor Mel Nott OBE said: “We hope the best amateur golfers in the world will enjoy testing themselves on two of the county borough’s great courses and that many will want to extend their stay and return in the future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Golf tourism is important to the area and I am sure our local businesses will welcome an early summer boost to trade.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tickets for the Amateur Championship are FREE, and free parking will also be available at both courses too. However, there will be a charge for parking at the Rest Bay car park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Amateur Champion wins a place in next month’s Open Championship at Royal Troon and next year’s US Open at Erin Hills, Wisconsin. Traditionally, an invitation is also extended to play in the Masters Tournament at Augusta. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​