SAS: Cary golf tournament boosts local economy

The PGA Champions Tour will arrive at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary later this month, bringing with it a national television audience, golf fans from across the country and an estimated $10 million, the tournament director said Monday.

Posted 2:42 a.m. Sep 20, 2011 — Updated 3:19 a.m. Sep 20, 2011

CARY, N.C. — The PGA Champions Tour will arrive at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary later this month, bringing with it a national television audience, golf fans from across the country and an estimated $10 million, the tournament director said Monday.

The SAS Championship runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 this year and will raise money for local charities. In the 10 years since the annual tournament began, SAS has donated more than $3 million to Triangle-area initiatives. This year's signature charity is the YMCA's after-school tutoring program, Y-Learning.

"On an annual basis, it's got to be one of the biggest events in the Triangle," said tournament director Jeff Kleiber. "It's where seven days of golf really has a 52-week impact through the Triangle Community Foundation."

Kleiber said the tournament is not only good for the country club and for local charities, it also helps SAS develop and enhance relationships.

The Prestonwood community will also benefit from the tournament. Millions of dollars in renovations have pumped new life into the club's aging courses and residents hope that will stimulate the surrounding real estate market.

"I think resales are probably going to improve in this area because of the upgrades they've done on the golf course," said resident Rex Bost. "The way they've kept it up, it's a pristine environment."

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