As golf fans focus this weekend on the Constellation Energy Classic Champions Tour in Hunt Valley, plans are quietly under way for 2007?s Senior Players Championship coming to Baltimore Country Club?s Five Farms course in Lutherville.
Constellation Energy picked up the Senior Players Championship after Ford Motor Co. announced it would withdraw its sponsorship from the tournament that has been held annually in Dearborn, Mich., since 1990.
“We think the Baltimore Country Club is going to be a terrific venue and take [the tournament] to a whole new level,” said Rick George, president of the PGA Champions Tour.
Some estimate that the 2007 tournament could pump as much as $100 million into the local economy and draw tens of thousands of fans, but George said the real impact is immeasurable.
“It?s going to be great for the community, great for the state because it will be broadcast on network television in 110 countries,” he said.
Fronda Cohen, director of marketing and communications for the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, agreed.
“The value is priceless in terms of the visual images and have a large number of people coming here,” Cohen said.
Actual work on the tournament will begin shortly after this weekend?s final Constellation Energy Classic concludes.
George said renovations are planned for the Five Farms course to accommodate the fans, corporate sponsors and international media.
“It?s going to look tremendous on television,” George said.
The country club will be rerouting some of the holes on the course, but the Senior PGA will come in and install corporate tents and bleachers, as well as add electricity and comfort station facilities.
“We don?t know the cost yet, but typically it?s like building a small town,” George said. “It takes four or five weeks to build and two or three weeks to take away.”
Steve Schoenfeld, executive director for the 2007 tournament, said area businesses of all sizes will be able to play somerole in making the event successful for the region.
“When we approach companies about being involved in the event, we will help them utilize the event in their business plan,” Schoenfeld said. “We are working on packages to accommodate any size budget.”
Constellation Energy?s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, David Nevins, said the Senior Players Championship should become as much a part of Maryland?s sports scene as the Preakness Stakes, the annual horse race held each spring.
“We have the Orioles and the Ravens that are ongoing sporting events, and the Preakness, which is the most special single event,” Nevins said. “We want our event to be seen as the second most special annual event.”
