ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Lots of excitement in the golf community here in Asheville.
It’s not just the PGA tournament this week that’s shaking things up for golfers and fans.
“Golf has been a lifelong sport for me, and I just look forward to anything that grows the game,” said Asheville resident Dale Merrill.
Merrill says he’s played and watched golf for decades and the Biltmore Championship Asheville is the biggest golf news in the city that he can remember.
“I was shocked and very, very excited,” said Merrill.
“It is a great big week for golf fans in the Asheville region,” said Explore Asheville President and CEO Vic Isley.
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Isley says it’s not only a big week because of the PGA tournament that starts on Thursday.
She says there’s also a collegiate golf tournament, the JT Poston Invitational, that starts in Waynesville on Sunday.
Then the following week, there’s the Skyview Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Asheville, the nation’s oldest Black Golf Tournament.
Biltmore Championship Asheville unveils champion’s trophy at media day event at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. (Photo: Biltmore Championship Asheville)
“It’s been a big event, and it’s been a tournament that’s seated a lot of professional golfers who have ended up on tour,” said Merrill.
“These tournaments are an opportunity for people who are golf lovers, but also people who just love entertainment and socializing,” said Isley.
News 13 spoke with golfers at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course who say they’re excited about the growth and opportunities that will come from the tournaments.
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“It’s an opportunity for everybody to come out and experience something. If you’re a fan of golf, come out, and you know, it’s fun,” said Asheville resident Ian Bailey.
“It’s really big not only to put Asheville’s name on the golf map more but for what it’s probably gonna do for the economy and bringing people here,” said Merrill.
Merrill says he hopes this spotlight on Asheville over the next couple of weeks will bring enough golf interest to bolster the golf community.
He says there’s nothing like playing in the mountains, with its scenery and terrain.
“It’s unique and different, and it would be nice to see people discover that, and it would be nice to just bring more attention to Asheville as a whole,” said Merrill.