Farmers Insurance Open Kicks Off On Monday
SAN DIEGO — The weeklong Farmers Insurance Open kicked off on Monday at the Torrey Pines Golf Course and organizers are hopeful sunny weather and Tiger Woods’ participation will bring a much-needed rebound for the professional golf tournament.
In 2008, Tiger Woods won the tournament which was then known as the Buick Invitational. Woods was absent from the tournament in 2009 because of a leg injury. In 2010, his extramarital affairs forced him to sit out from the tournament again. At the same time, winter weather did not help ticket sales and Buick pulled out as the title sponsor.
This year, Farmers Insurance is the title sponsor, the weather is predicted to be sunny and warm and Woods is expected to arrive on Tuesday.
Woods’ appearance could mean an increase in revenue for the local economy, according to a survey by the PGA Tour, which looked at tournaments where Woods participated compared to ones where he did not.
“It’s usually somewhere between a 15 and 25 percent bump of revenues, which includes ticket sales [and] hospitality sales,” said Farmers Insurance Open Director Tom Wilson, who expects this year’s tournament to bring in at least $30 million.
Wilson said he also hopes the tournament’s charitable giving will increase. In 2008, the tournament generated $2.5 million for local charities. It dipped to $2.2 million in 2009 and to $1.6 million in 2010. This year, Wilson said he hopes the giving number will jump above $2 million.
Ticket sales are also up from last year’s numbers.
“They were actually up 30 [to] 35 percent before Tiger committed officially and since he has, the percentage has gone up even more,” said Wilson.
Also new this year is a policy that will allow ticket holders to bring their cell phones into the tournament. However, the cell phones must be on silent mode and users will not be allowed to take any pictures or video. There will also be designated cell phone talking areas.
Anyone who is caught violating the rules will have their cell phone taken away until they leave the tournament.
From www.10news.com
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Guest commentary: Key reforms can cut car insurance costs
about 1 year ago - No comments
Michigan’s automobile no-fault law needs to be updated to improve efficiency, promote affordability and ensure long-term survival of the system. In this time of tight household budgets, too many Michigan residents are driving without insurance, and state law doesn’t contain key tools essential to control costs and promote affordability. Some in the insurance industry oppose