The Valley Forge Invitational returns from May 28-June 2, 2019 at Raven's Claw Golf Club, Pottstown, PA. The schedule includes the following events:
May 28 – Junior Clinic (golf course)
May 29 – Meet the Pros Party, Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
May 30 – Pro Am (golf course)
May 31-June 2 – public tournament play (golf course)
Last year, the event brought an economic impact of 600 room nights and $1 million.
This year’s Symetra Tour schedule will be expanding from more than 20 events to almost 24, as well as an expanded representation of international countries – 47 – with 30 at the Valley Forge Invitational alone.
The VFTCB is also working on enhancing the experience of the game for residents and visitors through the Montco Golf brand, said Edward Harris, the VFTCB’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Some of those initiatives include: a new partnership for the annual Montco Golf Guide in 2019, the ability to book rounds on MontcoGolf.com, and the implementation of a customized and interactive map feature to help golf enthusiasts plan a weekend getaway on the course with nearby hotels, restaurants and shops, Harris said.
The Valley Forge Invitational helps to raise awareness about Montgomery County’s 53 golf courses – and 300,000 yards of play.
The local community also benefits from the tour. The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness is once again back on board as a sponsor with proceeds going to charities they designate.
Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Valley Forge Invitational. Learn more at montcogolf.com.
The inaugural Valley Forge Invitational brought women’s professional golf to Montgomery County in May 2018. Held on the challenging Ed Shearon-designed Raven’s Claw Golf Club in Pottstown, the event was one of more than 20 on the Symetra Tour schedule for 2018. Louise Ridderstrom from Sweden shot a course record to win the tournament, which was the first time the Symetra Tour played in the Philadelphia region.
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board and its Valley Forge Sports sales team helped bring the tournament to the area.
“The Valley Forge Invitational was a tremendous success, but wouldn’t have been possible without the strong support and guidance from the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB),” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Office for the LPGA Symetra Tour. “Their involvement and leadership efforts helped to create a solid sponsorship foundation, as well as media presence, in all of the neighboring communities. We are looking forward to many years of partnership as we prepare the next generation of LPGA stars for success.”
The Meet the Pros party was also held in Pottstown at the Sunnybrook Ballroom. The Pro-Am featured former Eagle, Vince Papale, and other local businesses entertaining top customers and prospects alongside the future LPGA Tour stars.
Since it opened in 2005, Raven’s Claw Golf Club has been a consistent selection on the list of “Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Daily Fee” courses, as selected by Golfweek. In fact, Pennsylvania is one of the top 10 states by number of golfers, and the Philadelphia region is in the nation’s top five, according to the 2017 National Golf Foundation’s Golf Participation in the U.S. Study.
The major sponsors for the Valley Forge Invitational included the VFTCB and the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation (PAHWF). Local charities, as designated by the PAHWF, that serve the people of Pottstown and residents in seven public school districts within a 10-mile radius of the borough, were the beneficiaries of $17,500 raised during the tournament.
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