Businesses, Drivers, Fans Feel Effects of PGA Weekend

CHARLOTTE, NC — The PGA Championship will put Charlotte on the world stage this weekend.

The next two days are expected to draw the largest crowds as tens of thousands of fans filter through Charlotte.

You will feel the effects whether you’re going or not.

Traffic is expected to be heavy, and the PGA is preparing for storms.

Friday night, fans are celebrating.

“We love it! We love it a lot,” said Jeff Gerard. “It brings in a lot of money in this area.”
Drivers feel it, too.

“It’s not frustrating as much,” said Sarah Sito. “I understand it’s part of the deal.”

CMPD says the traffic congestion will have a domino effect across the city as we head into the final stretch of the championship this weekend.

“Uptown has been very busy, and, obviously, this area and there is some area within the SouthPark and Cotswold,” said Sito.

Hotels are booked everywhere.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority says demand in Uptown is up 54.1 percent compared to this time last year, and it costs 39.2% percent more.

“I’ve met people from Charleston, from England, from Australia that were in here last night,” said J. Sam.
He owns J. Sam’s Wine Bar.

He expects to triple what he makes on a normal Friday night at Piedmont Row’s PGA celebration.

When it comes to that PGA prediction that the tournament will have a $100 million economic impact on the city he says, “I see it! I feel it! because the numbers I do this week are record numbers, and I have never done as much as I’ve done this week.”

The only concern for the weekend rounds now, paramedics say, is rain causing fans to slip on the grass.

The PGA has also added more water stations to prepare for heat.

“The amenities are great, getting around, there’s plenty of places to refill your water,” said Richard MacIntyre. “The hospitality has been excellent.”