Asheville's Arts Scene and the PGA Tour: A Match Made in Heaven?
Asheville, North Carolina, is a city known for its vibrant arts scene and natural beauty. But when it comes to the PGA Tour, it might not be the first place that comes to mind. However, one downtown gallery is making a bold move to connect the two and bring more visitors through its doors.
The Asheville Gallery of Art, established in 1988, has weathered many challenges over the years, including the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The gallery's President, Margie Kluska, and Vice President, Carol Fetty, are determined to keep the gallery afloat, with tourism being a significant source of sales. With the PGA Tour returning to Asheville this fall, the gallery saw an opportunity to bring some of those visitors through its doors.
The Biltmore Championship Asheville, scheduled for September 17-20, is the PGA Tour's return to the mountains for the first time in over 80 years. The gallery is partnering with the PGA Tour to hold a sweepstakes tied to the tournament. Anyone who purchases a piece of art at the gallery can enter for a chance to win tickets to the Sunday tournament.
This partnership is not just about bringing more visitors to the gallery; it's also about connecting the arts scene and golf. The gallery's exhibition committee regularly looks for ways to get people more excited about visiting and experiencing the artwork. By using golf to bring people into an art gallery, the gallery's leaders are having fun with the idea and embracing the unexpected.
The economic impact of the tournament could extend well beyond the golf course. Explore Asheville President and CEO Vic Isley says the four-day Biltmore Championship Asheville is expected to generate upwards of $10 million in direct spending in the community during its first year. The tour also plans to award grants to nonprofits around the beginning of September, with 50 area nonprofits already participating in the PGA Tour's Birdies for Charity program.
Golf enthusiasts can be influential when it comes to travel decisions, and the PGA Tour's return to Asheville could have a lasting impact on the city. Visitors attending the Biltmore Championship Asheville will have opportunities to dine at local restaurants and shop at independent retailers throughout the area. For the Asheville Gallery of Art, this partnership could mean an opportunity to introduce more visitors to the city's arts scene and turn some of those visitors into customers.
In my opinion, this partnership between the arts scene and the PGA Tour is a match made in heaven. It's an innovative way to bring more visitors to the gallery and connect the two seemingly unrelated worlds. It's fascinating to see how the gallery's leaders are embracing the unexpected and having fun with the idea. This partnership could have a lasting impact on the city and the gallery, and it's exciting to see what the future holds.
