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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 - Texas Women's OpenMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: MARCH 5, 2024 SUBJECT: CVB SPONSORSHIP OF TEXAS WOMEN'S OPEN FOR 2024, 2025, 2026 AT THE GRAPEVINE GOLF COURSE RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider the approval of a three-year Convention and Visitors Bureau title sponsorship of the Texas Women's Open to be played at the Grapevine Golf Course on May 28-31, 2024, and in May of 2025, and 2026. FUNDING SOURCE: Funds are available in the CVB budget for a total sponsorship of $225,000 at $75,000 per year. BACKGROUND: The Texas Women's Open will be played over four weekdays right after Memorial Day and normal play will be reduced/eliminated for the 1st three days. The golf course will play host as the NTPGA staff will administer the event with GGC staff assisting as needed. This event will offer our loyal course patrons an opportunity to volunteer and/or watch some of the best female golfers play our home course. The collaboration of City departments (Golf and CVB) will serve to enhance the status in the golf world of our course and community for years to come and will bring tax revenues to area hotels, restaurants, etc. The Texas Women's Open was first played in 1935 and has been won by some of the game's greatest names. The tournament features some of the best professional and amateur golfers in the country. In 2023, the Texas Women's Open added a separate division for the Legends of the LPGA for all three days. This attracts World Golf Hall of Famers. The 2024 Texas Women's Open championship will have a projected purse of $150,000 in 2024. Women's golf is gaining popularity with a 15% growth in players in the past three years. Today, there are more than 6.4 million women golfers in the US according to the National Golf Foundation. The Texas Women's Open is a 54-hole individual stroke play event for 120 players with a cut to the lowest 50 scores and ties after 36-holes. A high quality pro -am will be conducted on Tuesday preceding the Championship for sponsors, Grapevine Convention Hotel group clients and meeting planners. City Officials, invited dignitaries, and media will also participate. The Women's Open will provide a great opportunity to showcase Grapevine's Hospitality Destination Partners around the state and nationally. Hosting the Texas Women's Open brings credibility to the Grapevine Golf Course and showcases the destination. It also provides the CVB sales team the opportunity to engage women meeting planners who have an interest in golf. There has been wide -spread media coverage of the Texas Women's Open in past years to include the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Houston Chronicle, Austin American Statesman, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and several local television and radio stations. The media value alone for hosting the event more than exceeds the investment. CVB and Golf Director recommend approval