Frys.com Open big boost for South County

GILROY – Of all the signs that last week’s Frys.com Open in San Martin was a success – hoards of Tiger Woods followers, increased revenues, national TV coverage – it’s two simple words that may sum it all up.

“No vacancy.”

The ordinary, but telling, phrase was emblazoned on at least one Gilroy hotel marquee, and many South County businesses were happily forced to accommodate far beyond their usual clientele.

“Yes, we had a good week,” said Moti Kika, manager at Gilroy’s Ramada Limited, which was one hotel fortunate enough to flash its lack of available rooms. “It was really busy. Seventy-five percent of the time, we were full.”

Sights and sounds from Frys.com Open: Audio slideshow

Local restaurants also were on their toes, including the Milias Restaurant in downtown Gilroy, where co-owner Adam Sanchez said several PGA golfers stopped in for a quick bite, though Sanchez admits he didn’t know it at the time.

“Friends said, ‘Did you know all these famous people were in here?’ I had someone tell me, ‘This guy’s a golfer, this guy’s a golfer and this is an ESPN guy,'” Sanchez chuckled. “I haven’t looked at a TV in six months.”

Many eyes were on the unincorporated town of San Martin, however, both in attendance and via the Golf Channel, which provided constant national coverage from the CordeValle Golf Club, the second time the tournament has been hosted there in six years of existence.

The club welcomed approximately 62,000 people during the tournament, including a little more than 50,000 paying customers, tournament director Ian Knight said. The rest were comprised of golfers, staffers and volunteers, the latter of which saw a huge, immediate increase once Woods announced Aug. 29 he’d be playing in San Martin.

“It was very significant. It had an immediate impact,” Knight said of Woods’ participation. “Ticket sales took off. Volunteer sign-ups took off.”

Big attendance will also mean big donations to area charities.

Knight said tournament officials expect to shell out more than $1 million to beneficiaries, which include the American Institute of Mathematics – CEO John Fry’s math research center, the Adoption Services of Santa Clara County, American Cancer Society, the First Tee of San Jose, the CordeValle Youth Foundation, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Special Olympics of Northern California, Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and the Glow Foundation.

The tournament raised approximately $800,000 for charities last year, Knight said. He said official figures from this year’s tournament will be announced around Thanksgiving.

“We’re very happy with the results and we’re very happy with the trajectory of the tournament,” Knight said. “And we think we’re headed for really great stuff.”

The PGA golf tournament – which crowned Bryce Molder as its champion Sunday after a suspenseful six-hole playoff with Briny Baird – not only made for great entertainment, but great business for Morgan Hill. 

Multiple restaurants downtown reported a busier than usual atmosphere not only during the tournament, but the days and weeks leading up to it. 

“I saw people coming in that were working on the event,” said Rosy’s at the Beach owner Rosy Bergin. “We saw some new faces and had some positive comments from customers that haven’t seen downtown Morgan Hill.” 

Ladera Grill also saw a bit more business, although they are usually busy on weekends, said manager Matthew Medeiros. Medeiros said the restaurant also had golfer Ernie Els dine there during the tournament. 

Event coordinator Katie McPartland for the Morgan Hill Downtown Association said she too saw more of a presence downtown. 

“I think the restaurants did better. The retailers that I talked to, they didn’t see a change at all,” she said. 

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites on Condit Road had guests not only as spectators or players of the tournament, but those involved from electricians to caterers up to 10 days prior to the open. 

“Last year was great, this year was phenomenal,” said general manager David Dworkin. “It was a phenomenal impact for the hotel and community of Morgan Hill and the surrounding areas.” 

Chris Giusiana, CEO and President of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce also said having Woods play this year was beneficial to the community. 

“I think everyone was pleased with it, the fact that Tiger (Woods) was here helped bring in more people. I think they did more advertising for it more so than last year.” 

Dworkin said having Woods in the tournament this year at CordeValle was a “game changer” for putting Morgan Hill on the map. 

“What I can’t put a dollar amount on, is the amount of impressions we had for Morgan Hill,” he said.