LEWISBURG, W.Va. — It’s showtime for the Greenbrier Classic, and with events beginning Monday, thousands have already arrived at the resort and surrounding towns.
Rachel Stebbins, director of marketing and communication for the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said visitors are already having an economic impact.
“They are in our restaurants, hitting the grocery stores and shops and gas stations. It’s really a win-win all around,” Stebbins said.
For fans with tickets for the Greenbrier Classic but no hotel room, Stebbins said they’ll have to drive a fair distance. The tournament, now in it’s fourth year, has quite a following and people who come back year after year will book their rooms, at the Greenbrier and nearby hotels, motels and inns months in advance. But that doesn’t mean fans can’t find a place to lay their heads, if they’re willing to pay.
“There are absolutely homes that are still available for rent,” Stebbins said. “So that is another opportunity for folks who are looking to come and stay and perhaps stay for a little bit longer than one night.”
TV coverage of the Greenbrier Classic gets underway on Thursday.
“The coverage we’re getting from CBS—the aerial shots of the county—you really can’t put a price tag on that,” Stebbins said.
“Folks following up after the golf tournament will call and request a visitor’s guide and look to stay in the future.”
Total attendance for the week-long event is estimated at about 250,000 people, Stebbins said.
“Really by midweek, once the practice rounds are getting underway, it will really kick up!”