Whenever the Buick Open arrives in nearby Grand Blanc, two local golf courses usually reap the benefits.
The annual Professional Golf Association event was slated for July 27-31 at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc. Officials at Goodrich Country Club and Atlas Valley Country Club said business definitely improves when the Open hits.
‘Warwick Hills? numbers are reciprocated by other private clubs in the area, and we get the overflow from that,? said Jim Naugler, golf superintendent at Goodrich Country Club, 10080 Hegel Road, Goodrich.
Naugler said the increased interest in golf during the Open is a natural byproduct of people watching the tournament on television.
‘It may be dead during the middle of the day, because everyone is watching, but they golf later in the day,? Naugler said. ‘When they watch golf, they want to go out and swing the clubs.?
He also said the weather outlook for the Buick Open is expected to be sunny, which he hopes will add to what has already been an increase in activity at the club this summer.
‘We’ve had good play so far this year,? Naugler said.
John Miles, head professional at Atlas Valley Country Club, 8313 Perry Rd., Atlas Township, said the Buick Open is usually held the week after the club’s annual Men’s Invitational, but this year, both events fall during the same week.
‘The CBS production people used to come here during the Buick Open,? he said. ‘This year, they won’t be able to do that.?
However, he said business should actually increase at the club during the Open, as about 184 people will be taking part in Atlas Valley’s Men’s Invitational that week.