Image from www.pknpk.com

CLYMER, NY – A major golf tournament is just about ready to tee off in Southwestern Chautauqua County.

The LECOM Health Challenge, Web.com PGA Tour will take place at the Upper Course at the Peek’n Peak Resort in Clymer from Thursday through Sunday.

The tournament marks the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County, and includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10. The four-round tournament competition features players who will compete for PGA Tour Cards so they can make their way to golf’s biggest stage.

“This is the PGA. That’s what this is,” explained County Executive Vince Horrigan during a recent WRFA interview. “With the PGA comes $6 million of investment, 85,000 visitors, hotel rooms, and notoriety for Chautauqua County, so we’re very excited about this.”

The rounds begin on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.

Tickets are $25 for 4-day general admission or $10 per day.

In addition, Thursday will also be Military, Veterans, and First Responders Appreciation Day at the tournament and upon presenting a valid ID at check-in all current military members, veterans, first responders and their spouses will receive free admission.  They will also be treated to a complimentary lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 18th Fairway Tent on the Upper Course.

According to county officials, the LECOM Health Challenge will bring national and international exposure to Chautauqua County and the surrounding region, via a four-day telecast on the Golf Channel.  It is projected to have a direct economic impact of $5 to 6 million on the area.

Senator Catharine Young; Nick Scott Sr., President and Owner, Scott Enterprises; Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan; Kevin Sanvidge, Chief Executive Officer, Chautauqua County IDA; and Pierre Bellicini, Director of Communications and Marketing, LECOM Health announce $150,000 in New York State support to promote the upcoming LECOM Health Challenge. (Image courtesy of Sen. Young’s office)

CLYMER, NY – Both local and state officials are saying that the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County via the LECOM Health Challenge will be an economic boon for the region.

The LECOM Health Challenge, a PGA/Web.com Tour event, will be hosted at Peek’n Peak Resort’s Upper Course from July 4-10, 2016. The tournament includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 6, followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10. It is expected to draw 156 professional golfers and 20,000 to 30,000 spectators.

On Tuesday New York Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I – Olean) joined Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan, Chautauqua County IDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sanvidge, and Nick Scott, Sr., President and Owner of Scott Enterprises, which owns Peek’n Peak Resort, to announce $150,000 in New York State support to promote the upcoming tournament.

“The LECOM Health Challenge is a magnificent economic driver and it is exciting to have the tournament back at Peek’n Peak’s beautiful facility. Golfers across our region know how great the courses are in Chautauqua County, and now we have the chance to market our region to a worldwide audience,” Senator Young said.

“I was pleased to be able to secure this funding, because the tournament will highlight Chautauqua County’s assets, including our world class wineries and craft breweries, incredible dining, pristine lakes and waterways, and, of course, our recreational activities. Tourism is the state’s fourth largest employer and it is important that we build on that success. The boost local businesses will see during the tournament, and as a result of the worldwide audience, will help create even more good paying jobs,” said Senator Young.

According to Senator Young’s office, in 2014 tourism in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region was a $548 million industry, sustaining 5,600 jobs in Chautauqua County. The county represents 48 percent of the region’s tourism sales with $263 million in traveler spending. Direct and indirect income from area residents involved in the tourism industry totaled over $238,000.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund, as well as several other local charities including the United Way of Chautauqua County, Mikey’s Way Foundation, the Jamestown Community College Scholarship Funds and the First Tee of Western New York. In 2013-14, LECOM scholarships totaled more than $3.7 million for students.

Tickets to see the tournament are still available by visiting: www.LECOMHealthChallenge.com.

County Executive Vince Horrigan and IDA director Kevin Sanvidge will be joined by Senator Catharine Young and others to offer details on the upcoming LECOM Health Challenge pro golf tournament at Peek’n Peak.

The LECOM Health Challenge, a PGA/Web.com Tour event, tees off on Monday, July 4 and runs through Sunday, July 10.

The tournament marks the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County, and includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 6, followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10.

According to officials, the LECOM Health Challenge will bring national and international exposure to Chautauqua County and the surrounding region, via a four-day telecast on the Golf Channel.  It is projected to have a direct economic impact of $5 to 6 million on the area.