Rain Puts PGA Tour On Move

theinsider · July 6, 2006

BC Open Has To Change Venues Quickly for This Year's Tourney

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Flooding Forces B.C. Open Move to Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort

Event to be Called B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort

(Endicott, NY) — The PGA TOUR, Broome County Community Charities and the County of Broome announced today that because of the most recent flood damage, the B.C. Open must be moved from its home at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, NY to Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.

The tournament, which will be played July 17-23, will be called the B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort this year, while proceeds generated by the event will return to Broome County for distribution to local charities

“In order to provide the tournament organizers the best opportunity to stage the tournament at the highest level, we worked with Broome County Community Charities, the County of Broome and Turning Stone Resort to find a site that would ensure that this year’s tournament would continue as scheduled,” said Henry Hughes, PGA TOUR Chief of Operations. “It was unanimous among all the groups involved that this was the best option.”

“The PGA TOUR approached us and asked for our help,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative. “The Oneida people have a legacy of helping others, and so we are pleased to do our part and to ensure the charities in Broome County continue to benefit from this event they worked so hard to build.”

Turning Stone Resort, tournament organizers and the PGA TOUR are working together to ensure that a plan is in place for accommodating spectators who wish to attend the event. All ticket sales to date will be honored. Further details will be announced.

Atunyote GC is a Tom Fazio-design that opened in 2004. The 7,315-yard layout played host to the PGA of America Professional National Championship two weeks ago. Atunyote (uh-DUNE-yote), which is the Oneida word for eagle, is a parkland course with vast stretches of open space, gently rolling hills, a stream and small waterfalls, and several lakes. The largest body of water, measuring 13 acres, runs along three fairways, including the dramatic finishing hole.

The course was listed in 2004 by Travel & Leisure Golf as one of the “10 Best New Public/Resort Courses,” and by GOLF Magazine as one “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play.”

The B.C. Open has been held at En-Joie GC since the event’s debut in 1971. Broome County Community Charities, Inc. has been the sponsoring organization since 1974. Since that time, the B.C. Open has contributed more than $8 million to local charities. Over the years some of the top players in the game have competed in the tournament including past B.C. Open champions Tom Kite, Jay Haas, John Daly, Fred Couples and Craig Stadler.

“Broome County Community Charities, Inc. would like to thank Ray Halbritter and Turning Stone Resort for their support of our organization,” said Alex Alexander, Executive Director of Broome County Community Charities, Inc. “The courtesy extended to the B.C. Open by this facility was nothing short of first-class. We are confident that the PGA TOUR players will be impressed with this highly-rated facility.”

“This was our first year managing the En-Joie Golf Course and before the floods hit we were confident it was in great shape for the B.C. Open,” said Barbara Fiala, Broome County Executive. “This has been extremely unfortunate for all involved, but we are heartened by the fact that we have all been able to work together to salvage the tournament and are pleased that the proceeds can still return to this community.”

The B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort will be broadcast on the USA Network on Thursday and Friday from 4-6 p.m. ET and Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. ET.