Does this mean locals can eat out now without feeling robbed, as the menu prices are jacked up? That'll bolster the local economy, instead of eating at home for the week (bad enough having to deal with the traffic).
Local business owners will soon find out whether the Masters Tournament is recession-proof.
The picture isn't looking too rosy for some so far.
Some local caterers, hoteliers and others in the hospitality industry are expecting at least a 10 percent decrease in business for the first full week in April because of the uncertain economic times.
Jugal Purohit, who owns four area hotels, including Country Inn and Suites and Ramada Inn, said his corporate client business during the Masters is taking a big hit. He said bookings for his hotels for the practice rounds are way down.
"Our corporate America people are just sending out their people for the main tournament," Mr. Purohit said. "They're cutting costs left and right, so the Masters is a part of that."
Robert Williams, the owner of Roux's Catering, said his catering engagements are down about 20 percent from this time last year. He also attributes the decline to corporations' cutbacks.
"This is going to have to be a year where a lot of us just buckle our seat belts and prepare for the ride," Mr. Williams said. "I don't expect it to be one of the better years for the Masters."
A typical Masters Week has an economic impact estimated in the millions for local businesses. The last economic impact statement on the Masters, put out by the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1997, estimated the tournament pumped $109 million into the local economy.
Some companies are making adjustments to fit the new economic reality. Executive Marketing Services, which provides housing, catering and transportation to Masters visitors, will offer services at a lower price this year, said Chris Cheek, the company's vice president.
So far, bookings for services for the practice rounds are down, he said.
Business is coming in slowly, but it will come, said Stan Creswell, the general manager of Hampton Inn on Washington Road. Reservations there are down about 10 percent, but he said many might wait until the last minute.
Mr. Williams said he still expects the Masters to draw thousands of people, even if they have a tighter grip on their pocketbooks.
"Any money's going to stimulate our economy, so I'm still really looking forward to it," he said.
The Partridge Inn has managed to buck the trend, general manager Jeff Brower said. The upscale hotel has been booked since August for the Masters.
With rooms starting at $800 for Masters Week, Partridge Inn customers are paying for more than a place to stay, he said.
"It's about the look, the feel and the quality of the staff," Mr. Brower said. "I think that's helped us weather some of this."
Sue Parr, the president of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce, said the Masters Housing Bureau, which it runs, has seen a slight increase in homeowners interested in renting.
"We are seeing flexibility from homeowners in their rental fees," she said in an e-mail.
One of those is Laurie Easterlin, who has rented her Skinner Mill Road home for years but has not found a taker this year. Her home is renting for 25 percent less than it has in years past.
"This is the first year we've had trouble renting," she said. "We're hoping for the best."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Does this mean locals can eat out now without feeling robbed, as the menu prices are jacked up? That'll bolster the local economy, instead of eating at home for the week (bad enough having to deal with the traffic).
Yeah, Sandy, you tell em...they raise their price by a mere 10% at most, if any and the economic impact to the area is over 100 million dollars not to mention the tax impact which is huge and all you can do is find a complaint.
Eliminate the lottery system for practice rounds and see what happens.
Golf enthusiasts are still enthusiastic and people with money to spend will justify the Master's experience. The soup kitchens aren't the primary business in this country yet.
Yea all of you probably need to push away from the table @ the restaurant.. There is nothing wrong about raising prices during the Masters. If all of you had money to open a restaurant, then you would do the same thing. Be grateful that Augusta has a unique sports entity in that it does not move around to different golf courses like other sports venues. The money that is introduced into the local economy is spent by the restaurant owners and employees for goods and services that are made or marketed by those of you who have a job....And no I do not work/own a restaurant.
Sound like a restaurant owner to me. If everyone " Pushed away from the table", what would your ungrateful azzes do?
Blues is correct. Most of the corporates "eat in" with their own hosting staff, not out. Our family enjoys eating out at Masters and we've never seen any of our favorite restaurants raise their prices. Just another urban myth about the greedy, mean-spirited business owners who rip off the poor, struggling common folk. This year won't be as bad next year. Obama signs his framework for socialist America on Tuesday. That means in one year inflation from the spending bill will be revving up. In addition, he will begin targeting his scapegoats - people who work hard and are successful - with higher taxes. The peole the liberals love to blame for all of their problems will not be able to attend Masters 2010 and our local economy will just get worse from their absence.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Obama this , Obama that. We all know before he came alone that the fertilizer you all are spewing from your mouths, smelled like roses.
People in the Augusta area have 51 other weeks out of the year that they can go out to eat in this area and here they are complaining about the one week of the year that brings much to our area. What pea brains... The Augusta National donates much to this area due to their success. Businesses gain much from Masters Week. Usually corporations come in early to get set up for the week and our economy is improved by the visitors and their spending. It seems that some people just look for something to complain about and this shouldn't be one of them. Some need to choose their battles more carefully and where they make sense. This is a battle that makes no sense.
If you don't like the crowds, traffic etc, do like I do and leave town. Disney World is great during Masters week. We went a few years ago, it is the slowest time of year for them. No waiting 2-3 hours to see anything. We had a great time.
Roadkill: Thanksgiving is a great time to go to Disney World too. Really thin crowds then because everybody is at Grandma's. Never go at Christmas. It's packed.
Boo-flippin-hoo. Down 10% when their business increases more than 50% minimum that week. I worked in the hotel/motel industry in Augusta for more than a decade. Do the math and stop whining.
I love the Masters and the MONEY it brings in. People that do not love the economic boost to the community are just not too smart. Everybody in Augusta benifits from the tournament. Yards get spruced up, servers get bigger tips, remodelers get more business, more furniture is sold, rental companies get renters, etc. A win win for everyone.
It's getting bad when Exxon Mobile cuts back during Master's week.
The Masters did fine before Obama was elected. Is that just another coincidence? Many things were coincidentally better off before Obama. I think comparing Obama to Bush is proving to be unfair.
What a shock , I was looking forward to a tremendous and profitable Masters this year. After all, with all the bailout money many Corp. were handed by the Government, they would show up with their pockets full. I was hoping our community would in a round about way get some of that bailout dough. After all it does belong to the taxpayers.
Augustans still have to face the fact that they live in Augusta for 52 weeks each year.
Was it not Exxon that posted 40+ billion profit last year? Seems to me like the old boys are getting a bit tight with the money they took from us during the big gas price rip-off last year. Hmmmmm, makes you wonder don't it.
I've noticed even ACORN is getting money (in the stimulus) so things must really be rough. Oh, forgot. After they pay all their court costs for fraud first, they'll probably get more money to do their community agitating. Makes you wonder.
Wow 109 million more in the local economy. Does this mean the workers are getting big bonuses?
I really wonder if the Holiday Inn and others really intend the 109 million to stay here, or will it go to corporate headquarters? Just a thought. Additionally, what about those people who rent their houses and then go to Puerto Rico to spend the money they made, is it part of the 109 mil injection into the local economy? Well anyway, money is comming in but you can bet it isn't "trickling down", or is it?
Maybe I am in the minority here, but I enjoy Masters week in Augusta. I think the positive benefits to our city outweigh the negative. The traffic can be a little tricky, but if you're smart, you know which way and when to travel to get where you need to be. Enjoy the week! Stop complaining.
Poor, poor, pitiful, pitiful me. Oh me, oh my. Who's going to give me something? Some owners may choose to go to their place at the lake, stay with relatives or even go to Puerto Rico. Remember we still have choices. Sounds like that could be a little wealth envy, diss.
I agree 100% with "convertedsoutherner on Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:18 PM " Envy runs deep!
Master's Week is great... get out, enjoy, meet new (foreign) folks. It will take you longer in resturants, bars, traffic but if you plan for it, it works out..... Nothing like it anywhere else!!!
Whinnin yeeeehahs:(
The spectators are going to the tournaments in Hilton Head and Charlotte because there's more to do for the families and they have more upscale facitilities. The transportation is also much better in Charlotte- taxis, light rail, buses, a huge airport, streets, interstates, convenience of travel- Augusta can't touch Charlotte, and it shows. The nightlife in Charlotte is fabulous now. We don't even consider going to the Masters any more. And Wachovia, who sponsors the tournament in Charlotte, had a special promotion on its Way 2 Save savings account- for three months we got SIXTEEN PERCENT APY interest last year because the tournament was won by 16 strokes under par. Whoo-hoo!!!!
Corgmon, when dows the high interest start and is there a limit on the amount you can invest?
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