Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER – Weather delays were the unwanted guest at the Senior LPGA Championship played at Sultan’s Run Golf Club last week, but despite having to make adjustments to the schedule, the tournament was a success.
With a full field of competition, nearly 200 volunteers and crowds of spectators, the Senior LPGA Championship played out over three days at the Jasper golf course. Angela Stanford claimed the championship Saturday. Morning storms delayed the start of play until 1 p.m. on the final day.
It was the first time the club has hosted a national tournament, bringing a new cadre of golf fans and players to the club and Dubois County.
Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide, wearing the yellow polo worn by tournament volunteers, said the event put Sultan’s Run and Dubois County on the map.
“The reputation we’re developing from an event like this has been very positive. The players were so delighted about the hospitality here in Jasper. The players talked about how nice the people were and the restaurants were so accommodating,” Vonderheide said. “This is an international event and people will know that Sultan’s Run is for real as a golf course and Dubois County and southwest Indiana is a great playground.”
The hotels were full and restaurants were busy over the weekend.
Alan Henselman, owner/president of Schnitzelbank, a restaurant serving authentic German food in Jasper, said business was up 20%.
The restaurant opened a buffet to serve more customers quickly. Diners could still order from the menu, but the buffet eliminated wait times.
“Our customers would have had an almost two-hour wait, so we brought in a buffet,” he said. “On Thursday and Saturday, we were up about 20% and were busy all day and night.”
The Schnitzelbank also stationed a food truck at Sultan’s Run.
Hanselman said the food truck did brisk business Friday. Storms on Thursday and Saturday had an impact on crowd sizes, but even with that, he said the tournament was great for business.
The Schnitzelbank was also a tournament sponsor and Hanselman said getting to play a round with pro golfer Jill McGill was a lot of fun.
The event was a culmination of months of planning by Sultan’s Run owners and staff, the city of Jasper and the Dubois County Visitors Center.
Whitney Lubbers, executive director of the Dubois County Visitors Center and Tourism Commission, said the tournament drew visitors from Texas, Georgia, Chicago and Detroit. Volunteers stretched from Louisville and Indianapolis.
Despite the unpredictable weather, players and spectators alike were treated to a first-class experience, Lubbers said. Community support, from sponsorships to volunteers, was key to the success of the tournament.
Barbara Zakrison organized the volunteers. Nearly 200 people helped as marshals, gallery control, keeping score, serving as spotters and working the merchandise tent.
The economic boost from hosting the tournament will continue to produce benefits for three to five years, Lubbers said, as more golfers have been exposed to Sultan’s Run and the hospitality of southwest Indiana.
“This tournament is testimony that Sultan’s Run is the golf course you want to be at and it gives Sultan’s Run the attention it deserves,” Lubbers said.