Golf Tournament Helps Local Economy

The PGA Tour's Transitions Championship is at  this week, and that means hundreds of pro golfers, their caddies and set-up crews, not to mention golf fans, will descend on the normally quiet community of Palm Harbor. 

While most of the pros stay at the resort, which features housing, lodging, restaurants and other amenities, there are still enough people flooding the area to spark increases in business for local merchants. 

“Innisbrook couldn’t be more proud to host such a well-respected PGA TOUR event. It certainly draws attention to our award-winning Copperhead Golf Course and to the resort,” said Innisbrook Spokesperson, Ramona Hurley.

“You also can’t put a price on the National and International television exposure this event brings to our area,” she added. "Visitors love to stay in the area and enjoy our beautiful beaches and all there is to do throughout the St. Pete/ Tampa Bay area. It’s a win-win for everyone in the area."

To find out how the tournament directly affects local businesses, Palm Harbor Patch canvassed the area surrounding the resort to see what kind impact the Transitions Championship has on area merchants. 

What we discovered is that even if the tournament doesn’t attract the biggest names in golf like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, people still come and spend money in local establishments, providing a much-needed boost in this recovering economy. 

“The tournament has a huge impact on us, and we love it,” Paul Hittos, owner of  and Chairman of the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, said. “We’ll see an impact at odd hours, early in the morning, so that’s good for us.” 

“We get a ton of caddies and fans on their way in and out of the tournament,” he added. “A lot of people don’t want to pay $15 for an omelet at the resort, so they come here because it’s cheap.”

Hittos said the crowds fluctuate based on tee times, but he acknowledged, “It’s definitely an electric time for Palm Harbor”. 

Ricky Joe Galante, manager of Rick’s New York Style Pizza on Klosterman Road, also said he experiences a boom in business every year due to the tourney. 

“There’s an increase in business when the tournament hits. There’s always an increase when something like that happens in the area,” he said. 

“We get a lot of deliveries to Innisbrook, people wanting real New York style pizza. We even delivered to an RV on the grounds before.” 

Asked if any of the pros have frequented his establishment in the past, Galante confirmed they have, but he couldn’t recall which ones.

“My son is the sports nut in the family, he could tell you who they were. One of the golfers gave him passes to the tournament last year. He was right up there with them when they teed off. He was thrilled.” 

South of the resort on US 19, the owner of the hotel said the tournament is a godsend for his business. 

“We’re completely filled up this time every year,” Frank Schilte said of his 100-room hotel, which he has owned for six years. “It gives us a good boost at the front end of March.” 

Much like the other merchants, Schilte says a majority of the increased business comes from caddies and other PGA tour personnel, who he says are reliable customers. 

“We get a lot of caddies, and some locals, too. They’re all good people, clean, and they give us no problems. So we really look forward to this time every year.” 

Interestingly enough, the one business you would think would see a huge increase in sales at this time of year actually doesn’t experience a Christmas-like boon. 

“During the tournament, we see a little increase inn traffic, but not a whole lot,” Larry Hibbler, assistant manager at nearby admitted. 

“The Monday after the tournament is real good, when people are pumped up and want to come in and get the apparel and equipment the pros are using…but that’s about it.”

Hibbler said he is not surprised by the lack of an increase in business during the tournament, since players are linked with suppliers and most fans already have their own gear going in. But he did say they get an occasional special order or two during the week. 

“The pro’s tour vans leave prior to the tournament starting, so if they break a club they will come in and buy a new one. We’ll usually get 3-4 of those per year.” 

Even if some local businesses aren’t directly affected, tournament spokesperson Rick Odioso says the overall impact on the entire area is invaluable. 

“You’ve got a 144 golfers, plus caddies and staff descending on the area, and that’s before I even get to the fans,” he said by phone.

"They fly into the airports, they stay in many of the area hotels, they spend money at shops and restaurants all over the area. I think that’s got to have a considerable impact on business in upper Pinellas County.”

Odioso, who has worked for the tournament since it was known as the JC Penny Classic in 1998, likened its impact to that of other big sporting events in the state.

"Daytona is known for the 500, Sebring for the races, other towns for their spring training teams," he said. "We are primarily known as a Palm Harbor tournament...which benefits Palm Harbor and the entire area."