E'town scores with sports tourism

Neal Cardin

The Elizabethtown Country Club and the city have become a main attraction as golfers and their families from around the state gather to play and watch during the 82 annual Women's State Amateur Championship.

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Neal Cardin

Golfers, caddies and families from across the state are gathering daily at the Elizabethtown Country Club to play and watch the 82 annual Women's State Amateur Championship.

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By JOHN FRIEDLEIN jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com ELIZABETHTOWN — More and more, this town is getting its game on. And the winners aren’t just on the playing fields. With an increase in state and national sports tournaments being held here, visiting athletes and their families are pumping a lot of money into the local economy. This week it’s golf. The Women’s Kentucky State Amateur Championship brought almost 100 competitors and their guests to town. Later this summer, Freeman Lake Park will be the site of the USA Wakeboard Nationals. Also, the Field of Dreams sports complex, when finished, is expected to be a tournament magnet for a variety of sports. Those who travel to such events generate more revenue than other types of visitors, said Department of Tourism spokeswoman Chris Kellogg. They eat out more and stay multiple nights in hotels. Also, if kids are playing, parents come with them. On average, a typical visitor staying overnight will spend $90 a day, said Sherry Murphy, executive director of the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau. Her agency earlier this week sponsored a cookout at the country club to kick off the golf event. Murray resident Judy Lyle, who is in town for the tournament, said Elizabethtown has been a great place to stay. With limited shopping in her hometown, she has hit local stores. Elizabethtown’s central location in the state has been another benefit, said Lyle, executive secretary for the Women’s Kentucky State Golf Association. And the proximity to Louisville has lured more competitors. Adequate lodging here is another plus. Golfers and their families are occupying 90 to 100 rooms for four days at the Best Western Atrium Gardens, Sales Manager Lavada McClain said. “Whenever I have a group in, I kind of pull out all my bells and whistles,” she said. Extras could include receptions, cookies in the lobby, bottled water and gift bags. Her hotel — which kicked off the sports season this year by hosting soccer players — also will accommodate the wakeboarders. With these guests, McClain drums up businesses for other operations across town by suggesting places to eat, for instance. City Councilman Marty Fulkerson sees more of this revenue on the horizon. The city’s Field of Dreams will draw soccer, baseball and softball tournaments. Cal Ripken league baseball officials have expressed excitement about the facility, he said. Their organization, in fact, will have its regional tournament here this summer for the first time, bringing in at least 320 people in late July at University Drive Park. Elizabethtown, which competes with towns like Bowling Green and Owensboro for these events, may benefit from the closure of the Executive Inn Rivermont in Owensboro. That town makes $8 million to $13 million a year from sports tournaments, Fulkerson said. Besides its hotel situation, Owensboro isn’t on the way to many places. “Our location sets us apart,” Fulkerson said. John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746.