Next month's PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship will be played at Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, N.C., instead of its typical Charlotte setting, "bringing both a postcard-worthy setting and challenges ranging from spectator logistics to diminished revenue," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Tournament Exec Dir Kym Hougham said that they "anticipate crowds of 20,000 per day." In Charlotte, Quail Hollow Club, which is hosting this year's PGA Championship, saw attendance generally in the "range of 30,000 to 35,000." Hougham said Wilmington is a "much smaller market, things are different." But he added for a smaller market hosting a PGA Tour event, Wilmington has "really stepped it up." Hougham "declined to offer specific estimates of revenue and charitable donations" for '17. He did say that both numbers "will be smaller than usual." In addition to "smaller crowds -- translating into lower ticket revenue and reduced merchandise and concession sales -- the tournament is spending $500,000 on costs associated with moving out of Charlotte for a year." Some corporate seating prices were "reduced in Wilmington in comparison with Quail Hollow rates." Companies that have "chalets and other hospitality packages in Charlotte were given an option to opt out" for '17 -- and "most did." A "financial challenge for organizers this year is the Wells Fargo's steep purse" of $7.5M "stays the same even with the change of venue." Hougham said that preparations have "gone well for Eagle Point." For '18 when the tournament returns to Quail Hollow, Hougham said that the "temporary change of venue has given his staff a chance to take a fresh look at staging the event and will likely lead to a few new wrinkles" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/10).
