P.G. County Open date moves to early June
When asked the attendance at the first two Melwood Prince George’s County Opens, tournament director Teo Sodeman answers, “25 to 30,000.” The temptation is to ask the follow-up, “People?”
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Regardless of how many golf fans were actually at Woodmore Country Club the last two years, there is ample evidence that the Melwood Open is gaining traction on the Nationwide Tour.
This year, Sodeman successfully lobbied for a better date, June 4-7, moving the Melwood off its traditional Memorial Day slot.
“Memorial Day weekend cost us some fans and some sponsorship support,” said Sodeman. “In this town, a lot of people go to the beach, the mountains, the lake. It’s the first long weekend of the summer. People look to go out of town, not to sporting events of this nature.”
Sodeman expects a further boost in attendance and sponsorship opportunities next year when the AT&T National, hosted by Tiger Woods, moves to Philadelphia as Congressional Country Club undergoes renovation in preparation for the 2011 U.S. Open.
Another indicator of the health of the Melwood: The Golf Channel will air the tournament for the first time, all four days.
“The worldwide television coverage gives us a tremendous opportunity to highlight Prince George’s County, the state of Maryland, our corporate sponsors, and most importantly, our host charity, Melwood,” said Sodeman of the organization that empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Nationwide Tour is feeling the pinch of the economic slowdown, shrinking to 29 events this year, down from 32 in 2007. As sponsors fled the tour this year, five events were discontinued, replaced by four new tournaments.
This year’s honorary tournament chairman, former Redskins star Brian Mitchell, however, sees blue skies for the Melwood.
“When Teo asked me I was thrilled,” said Mitchell. “I think this tournament can be as big as it wants to be. I’m here to push this tournament as much as I can.”
