The United States Golf Open returns to ‘The Country Club’ in Brookline (Massachusetts), one of the oldest clubs in the world. Companies watches and expensive cars, whiskey brands and technology companies are its main sponsors. Some of them have their own boxes for select customers. The millionaires of its commercial deal have funded a contest that will distribute more than 12 million dollars (11.4 million euros) in prizes.
Amid the storm for the launch of LIV Golf, the new ultra-millionaire league sponsored by Saudi Arabia, the PGA is proud of tradition. The first edition of the US Open began in 1895, a year after ‘The Country Club’ founded the American Golf Association along with four other clubs. Jon Rahm, the current champion, has no doubt: “I want to compete against the best and have a format used for hundreds of years.”
Known for the difficulty of its route, and for demanding ‘par’, ‘The Country Club’ recorded huge demand for tickets. Exclusive boxes are fully sold out for a few days and tickets for the general public range between 400 and 10,000 dollars (380 to 9,500 euros).
An economic boost for the nearby Boston area, where the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Warriors and the US Open are raising hotel prices, with two-star hotels selling for more than $ 200 per night.
THE PORTFOLIO OF SPONSORS
Rolex, sponsor of the US Open since 1980, Lexus, American Express, Deloitte, Cisco or Dewar’s whiskey are some of the big brands supplying the contest.
Some of them have particular visibility on the 18-hole course, not only at the club but also by the rights-owned television channels, Golf Channel and NBC, in the United States.
In addition, Lexus and American Express have exclusive boxes where customers with premium tickets can enjoy a similar experience, such as car driving simulators.
Dewar’s will be selling its cocktails over the weekend and is taking the opportunity to grow the business by launching a line of special, limited edition bottles next to the contest.
This year, a whiskey matured over 19 years in American oak barrels will be sold, the proceeds of which will partially fund the American Golf Association.
A MATTER OF TRADITION
Faced with the threat of launching LIV Golf, a league that attracts talented stars like Sergio García or Dustin Johnson for its particularly wealthy prizes, the PGA is defending its tradition of more than 120 years and receiving in the past day a few sincere samples of support for ‘greats’ like Jon Rahm.
“I want to play against the best in the world in a format that has been used for hundreds of years,” he said.
“Yes, the LIV prizes are great. Will my lifestyle change if I have 400 million? No, it won’t change in the slightest. I can retire now and have a very happy life without having to play golf again. I’m not. played for money reasons, I play for the love of the game and I want to compete against the best, ”he added.
In particular, ‘The Country Club’, which opened in 1882, hosted four editions of the US Open (1913, 1963, 1988 and 2022), as well as the 1999 Ryder Cup.
Known for its exclusivity, its partners include NFL legend Tom Brady and his wife, Brazilian Gisele Bündchen.
PRIZES OF $ 335 IN 1895, OVER 12 MILLION IN 2022
The first winner of the US Open, played in October 1895 on a nine -hole course, was British Horace Rawlins, who he took a check for $ 150 and a medal worth $ 50.
The total prize money for that first edition, in which eleven golfers, ten professionals and one novice participated, was $ 335.
In the 2021 edition, Jon Rahm won 2.25 million dollars in prizes for his achievement, out of a total of 12.5 million distributed to participants.
This year the winner can walk away with $ 2.5 million in prizesaccording to US media estimates.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
