Kelowna taxpayers contributing cash to pro golf tournament

KELOWNA – A professional golf tournament is coming to Kelowna and local taxpayers are helping fund the event.

The City of Kelowna and its airport operations have signed on as founding partners to the GolfBC Championship at the Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club June 6-12.

The city is contributing $7500 to the event with councillor Maxine Dehart saying it’s good for publicity and business.

“We get lots of profile and the restaurants are going to be busy, everybody is going to be busy. It’s no different than having any major event, like a marathon, in Kelowna. We derive a lot of money from a marathon.”

The airport’s sponsorship contribution is $10,000.

“We recognize different events throughout the region that promote what the Okanagan is all about and use YLW as a gateway to get in and out of Kelowna,” says airport director Sam Samaddar.

The city and its airport are also providing in-kind contributions to the tournament.

Civic staff are working on various services for the event such as public transportation and parking.

Gallagher’s Canyon general manager, Peter Hopley, says the course is in good shape for the field of 156 pro golfers.

“We are going to play as a par 71. Number ten will play as a par four when it’s typically a par five. So a 6800 yard par 71 will, I think, be a challenge for these guys.”

There’s $175,000 in tournament prize money with the winner taking home $31,500.