Tens of millions of dollars in economic impact and worldwide TV exposure for region cited as benefits
With past Florida Senate President Bill Galvano of Bradenton having made the pitch in person, the Sarasota County commissioners this week voted unanimously to provide financial support for The Concession Golf Club in Manatee County to host the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championships.
The action came during the commission’s regular meeting on June 3, which was held in Venice.
In a May 27 letter to board Chair Joe Neunder, Galvano had touted “the substantial economic impacts, international media exposure, increased tourism, and other residual benefits” that the tournaments would bring to Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Galvano asked in that letter that Sarasota County contribute $1.5 million for each of the three years, “to help facilitate the events.”
Addressing the commissioners on June 3, Galvano said the hosting opportunity for the two counties and for the state “is extremely significant.” In fact, he pointed out, “We have not had this championship in the state for over 25 years.”
The tournaments represent an “estimated $70 million for our region,” he continued. Direct spending alone is expected to total $35 million, Galvano noted.
Further, he added, the broadcasts of the events are anticipated to reach 500 million households in 130 countries: “NBC; Golf Channel; Peacock.”
“Hotel rooms will be distributed proportionately,” he said, pointing out that Sarasota County has twice the number available in Manatee County.
Then he talked of what he called the “ancillary benefits,” telling the commissioners that he had learned “that [74% of the] folks coming to this area or any area for an event such as this” will return within the next 12 months, based on tourism data.
Additionally, for restaurants, shops and other businesses, Galvano continued, “This is really quite significant.”
Further, Galvano noted that, as part of a 2023 bid attempt for The Concession to host the 2031 PGA Championship, then-commission Chair Ron Cutsinger had written of the “rich history of golf here in Sarasota County,” citing John Gillespie, known as the “Father of Sarasota,” who brought Scottish colonists to the area in 1885, to help settle it.
As the Sarasota History Alive! website explains, “Gillespie is credited with introducing Florida to the game of golf. In 1904 he built a nine-hole golf course east of the present Links Avenue. Over the years, he was commissioned to design and build six other Florida courses and one in Havana, Cuba. He was one of Florida’s championship golfers and an authority on the sport.”
Galvano told the commissioners, “Many think that [Sarasota had] the first golf course in America.”
Galvano also credited “a lot of hard work by a lot of people” to make the PGA of America’s decision about the three upcoming Senior Championships possible at The Concession.
He specifically recognized Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, the county’s tourism marketing office; Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Bruce Cassidy, president of The Concession Golf Club, for their efforts.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is very supportive of the initiative, as well, Galvano told the commissioners.
After Galvano completed his remarks, Commissioner Teresa Mast told him, “I want you to know this gets my blood going in a really good way.” The public-private partnership, she added, “is an opportunity for us — well, I’m going to say — put on our Easter Sunday best. … We’re going to shine.”
Commissioner Cutsinger said, “I echo [those] comments … I certainly am glad to be a supporter and really excited about the potential …”
Commissioner Tom Knight added, “Sports tourism is a big deal in this community.”
Chair Joe Neunder laughingly told Galvano, “You had me at 500-million television viewership and 130 countries around the world. … This will help all of us.”
Falcione also appeared at the podium in the Commission Chambers of the R.L. Anderson Administration Center, telling the board members that even though The Concession is in Bradenton, “This partnership is so important” that he is making it clear to the PGA of America that the “Sarasota-Bradenton” area will be the host of the tournaments, instead of the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
Mast made the motion to offer the financial support, and Cutsinger seconded it. The motion passed 5-0.
Then Mast won the full agreement of her colleagues for another motion, which directed County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and his staff to work on what she indicated she had learned would be a public-private partnership to make possible the erection of gateway signs on the northern and southern borders of Sarasota County. Those would be put in place in advance of the 2026 Championship.
Mast asked that Lewis come back to the board with details “as quickly as possible.”