PGA Championship Co-Chair Welcomes Golfers, Tourists to Kiawah

As golfers and spectators arrive for the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort's Ocean Course, S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell is touting the economic impact for the region and the state. Play begins Aug. 9.

"This is more than just a golf tournament, it's an economic impact fireworks display that is rocketing into South Carolina," said Harrell, co-chair of the 2012 PGA Championship Committee.

The week-long championship and its more than 210,000 spectators is expected to generate an economic impact of $193 million for the Palmetto State, according to a report from the PGA and the College of Charleston Office of Tourism Analysis.

A release from Harrell's office also noted more big estimates from the study, including:

• $92 million in direct spending
• $26 million in labor income
• $75 million in media exposure generated by over 150 hours of television coverage.

"This is about much, much more than just a week of championship golf at the sport's highest level," Harrell said. "This is about people — 156 of the world's best golfers, 210,000 spectators and more than 580 million households across the globe who will all be focused on South Carolina."