Colonial Country Club, host of the 2015 Crowne Plaza Invitational PGA Golf Tournament, is expecting 140,000 spectators and the world’s top golf players from May 18-24.
The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial golf tournament is the longest running event on the PGA Tour still being held at the original site. This tournament is broadcasted in more than 200 countries, making this event in Fort Worth a huge spectacle for people worldwide.
Sponsors
This year marks Crowne Plaza’s 9th and final year of being the title sponsor for the tournament.
Crowne Plaza announced this year that they would not be renewing their contract as title sponsor with Colonial.
“I think at the end of the day it’s a business decision for Crowne Plaza and I can not begin to comment on the why but I do know that they like their partnership with golf and their relationship with Colonial Country Club,” said Tournament Director Michael Tothe.
Crowne Plaza has also been a part of the golf scene by launching a multimedia ad campaign starring golfer Rickie Fowler in 2012.
Crowne Plaza has been the tournament’s longest running sponsor. For the 9 years that the upscale hotel brand has sponsored the event, they will make a $90,000 donation to the Birdies for Charity matching fund for each year they’ve sponsored.
How the tournament impacts Fort Worth
The annual PGA Tour event in Fort Worth generated $9 million for local charities, such as Cook Children’s Medical Hospital, in Tarrant County. They pride themselves on being a community and family event staged at the same venue for 69 years.
Not only does Colonial generate funding for local charities, the tournament brings $33 million of economic impact to the community, according to a study in 2013.
Hotels, restaurants and other local vendors are greatly benefitted by the amount of revenue that the tournament brings to the Fort Worth area.
What makes Colonial special?
The PGA Tour golf players  ranked the Colonial golf course the 2nd best golf course in 2015.
“The course fits my game well and I’m very confident there,” said Jordan Spieth, the reigning Masters champion.
The tournament director says that the hospitality that the members and the club provides to the players is what makes well-known golf players return year after year.
“It’s a home event that’s close to my heart and I love playing in front of the support of friends and family,” Spieth said. “Colonial provides a link back to the game’s greats and has incredible history in the PGA Tour.”
Other attractions
Frost Park will be located at the entrance of the tournament and completely open to the public.
This area includes activities and various fan experiences for free.
The concert lineup includes Kyle Park, Hudson Moore and many others.
Along with music, there will be food trucks, an outdoor patio and Nike Golf merchandise.
Parking
Colonial encourages people to take Uber, shuttles and other forms of transportation to and from the event.
Parking is located at Rockwood Lane and Farrington Field lots from Wednesday to Sunday for $10 per car. The Fort Worth Zoo will offer free parking after 6 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Both lots include a free shuttle to and from the course.
“This isnt just a golf event, this is a community event that generates a lot of economic impact,” To the said. “It raises money for local charities and we are fortunate enough to host the best players in the world, for a week, right here in Fort Worth, Texas.”