10/18/17 — Record turnout for tennis tournament serves up an estimated $200K to local economy

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Record turnout for tennis tournament serves up an estimated $200K to local economy

By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on October 18, 2017 5:50 AM

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Players compete Friday during the United States Tennis Association North Carolina Singles League State Championship at Herman Park. The tournament that began Friday and ended Sunday was played at different tennis courts in Wayne County and is expected to bring in almost $1 million over its five-year run to local businesses. This is the fifth year the tournament has been hosted in Wayne County.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Players compete Friday during the United States Tennis Association North Carolina Singles League State Championship at Herman Park. The tournament that began Friday and ended Sunday was played at different tennis courts in Wayne County and is expected to bring in almost $1 million over its five-year run to local businesses. This is the fifth year the tournament has been hosted in Wayne County.

The weekend U.S. Tennis Association North Carolina Singles League Championship led to a record turnout and an estimated $200,000 economic impact in Wayne County.

The tournament, held Friday through Sunday, resulted in participation from nearly 500 players from across the state, including as far as Charlotte and Winston-Salem, said Ashlin Glatthar, Goldsboro-Wayne Travel and Tourism director.

"With a record turnout of 85 teams totaling about 500 players coming from all over North Carolina, this year was the most successful, largest championship we've had since we first hosted in 2013," Glatthar said.

"The popularity of this championship mixed with our growing reputation of being an up and coming N.C. city is what contributes to the growth of the tournament."

Area hotels benefited from the tournament, with some players checking out as late as Monday. On average, an estimated 330 hotel room bookings came from the tournament, Glatthar said.

Initially, between 400 and 450 players were expected to participate this year, reflecting the increasing popularity of the event that drew about 300 players in its first year, in 2013.

The five-year economic impact from the tournament is nearly $1 million for the area from lodging, meals, shopping and fuel expenses, Glatthar said.

Tournament games were held at 48 tennis courts at sites in Goldsboro, Wayne County and Greene County, including Herman Park, the Goldsboro Event Center, University of Mount Olive and several area high schools.

League officials have committed to having the tournament in the Goldsboro area again in 2018.