BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Families from all around the globe set their destination for Bridgeport, West Virginia, this week. Even though the American Junior Golf Association’s (AJGA) Junior Championship is all wrapped up for this year, it’s not the last time the mountain state will host this crowd. In an agreement reached by WVU Medicine, the AJGA and the Bridgeport Country Club, the championship will be hosted at the club for the next two years, which is something Bridgeport’s Director of Community and Economic Development, Andrea Kerr thinks will boost Bridgeport’s image, introducing more of the world to north central West Virginia.
“I’m very excited for them to see how a small community comes together to put on one of these events,” said Kerr. “I’d like them to see the bridge sports complex, we have a lot of good places to eat, and hopefully they will take in all the good sights. we hope that they travel to other places around the state as well.”
Just during the span of the tournament, most hotels in the surrounding area saw increased room rentals or had no vacancies. When those visiting families needed something at the store, the Meadowbrook Mall is just a five-minute drive.
“Most events you’ll see, the jump will happen when we are already in the busy part of our weekends,” said Noah Levy, Marketing Director at the Meadowbrook Mall. “But, seeing the crowds come in on the weekdays, especially during the golf tournament, is nice to see. our food courts are always busy; we have a lot of exciting entertainment. there’s a whole lot of traffic around here and we enjoy being able to be that fun spot in the town.”
Booked up hotels, packed restaurants and a full mall is just the cusp of the junior championship’s impact on the Bridgeport economy.
When it’s all said and done, after three years, the tournament is estimated to rake in more than a quarter of a million dollars, according to officials close to the event.
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