Tourney keeps Cape businesses busy

This week's tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club has Cape Girardeau looking forward to future tournaments.

The American Junior Golf Association tournament that ended Thursday had 144 participants from 29 states and three countries who also brought family members and friends. Dalhousie marketing director Charlie Wiles estimated that, based on a national attendance average at AJGA events, 360 people were in Cape Girardeau for the tournament, plus another 187 people on Sunday for the qualifying round.

Calculating the economic effect of the influx of people is difficult, said Chuck Martin, executive director of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau, because people in the group didn't act as a whole in where they spent their money.

Still, city officials were pleased.

"It was an unbelievable week here in Cape Girardeau," Mayor Jay Knudtson said. "The city was abuzz between our restaurants, stores, hotels and the golf course."

"The city owes Dalhousie a debt of gratitude for the investment, impact, professionalism and excitement of the tournament," he said.

Dalhousie project manager Aaron Dombrowski said the players and their parents loved being in Cape Girardeau. While the course was in premier condition and the weather was perfect, he said he attributes the success of the tournament to the community effort.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau put together packets for the visitors, including maps of places to go and things to see.

"We put our best foot forward," Martin said. "Sports tournaments have a huge impact on our economy."

Martin's staff alerted all the area hotels of the tournament. The Victorian Inn & Suites jumped on the opportunity, offering the group a 20 percent discount off the nightly rate.

It was a small price for a high reward. The hotel booked more than 250 room nights during the week, which is typically a slow time for business compared to summer weekends, according to director of sales and marketing John Echimovich.

"They were a really nice group of people, too," he said. "We can't wait for them to come back."

Dalhousie's Wiles said he met with a family who had to drive to Sikeston, Mo., to find a hotel because, between last week's Tool concert, a softball tournament and the golf tournament, all the rooms in Cape Girardeau were booked.

Hotels weren't the only businesses that had the chance to show off during the AJGA Dalhousie Junior Championship.

Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston donated about 15 dozen rolls for a roll-throwing competition, plus another 12 dozen for the visitors to eat, according to manager Jerry Johnson. Johnson said the rolls don't cost much to make, and he wanted the guests to get a taste of Southeast Missouri.

The Wal-Mart in Cape Girardeau donated $500 to the group to purchase lunch on the final day of the tournament.

"There are thousands of golf courses they could have picked, and they picked one in Cape," store manager Tim Bryant said.

Schnucks donated snacks to the young golfers and their families to help make the event a success, according to store manager Dennis Marchi.

The city can expect further bursts of economic activity. The American Junior Golf Association will return to Dalhousie Golf Club next year and again in 2009.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137