Mutual dependence and benefits
With all its glamour and glitz, it’s easy to overlook the impact the Memorial Tournament has on the community and Greater Columbus region. But a mutually beneficial relationship has formed over the years.
"The tournament is extremely important," says Gary Houk, vice president of information technology and business integration at OCLC in Dublin and president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. "The hotels and restaurants do very well — it’s probably the biggest week of the year."
Houk says the golf focus also spreads outside the Muirfield Village golf course.
"A lot of people like to spend a half day watching golf at the tournament, then play golf at other courses the other half," he says. "The golf industry does well that week, not just the hotels and restaurants."
But the community isn’t just on the receiving end, says Sullivan. It takes a lot of community support to pull off a smoothly run tournament.
"It takes 3,000 volunteers to staff the tournament," Sullivan says. "They come from all over, not just Central Ohio."
But the majority, about 2,000, come from Columbus, through Children’s Hospital. Other community groups that volunteer at the tournament include the Aladdin Shriners and local Lion’s Clubs. These volunteers do everything from making sandwiches, manning concession stands and posting scores to providing child care for players’ families.
It’s a lot of work for a seven-day event.
"Other sports venues have a longer period of time, an entire season, to get it right. We have seven days," Sullivan says. "We have to have the volunteers lined up and ready to go, with no lingering questions. It’s a monumental task."
But after more than a quarter of a century of practice, Nicklaus and Sullivan are satisfied with the tournament’s status.
"We’re happy with the current structure," Sullivan says. "We’re always focused, though, on the spectator experience, and are always improving and tweaking it."
And Nicklaus says that these days, putting on a world-class tournament has become an easier task. In fact, he believes the Memorial is just hitting its stride.
"I think you find that with anything you want to do better, it’s more challenging," says Nicklaus. "The older I get, the worse I play golf; thus, playing the game is more challenging to me. As the Memorial Tournament grows, matures and gets better each year, the easier it has become.
"I guess things have worked in reverse. Playing golf was far less challenging for me at one point in my life than putting on a world-class tournament."
HOW TO REACH: The Memorial Tournament, (614) 889-6700 or www.thememorialtournament.com
