The PGA e ect From the cover
The speci cs
The overview
VTO’s economic impact on San Antonio
Je Webster, president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said that although the VTO is centered in North San Antonio, the economic impact ripples across the entire city. “[Visitors are] in the heartbeat of one of the fastest growing communities in the city, [the] Stone Oak area, but [they] really get to visit the whole city,” Webster said. Grant Moody, Bexar County Precinct 3 commissioner, emphasized that the VTO solidi es San Antonio’s reputation as a top tourist destination. “Events of this caliber … reinforce our reputation as a place that can successfully host world-class events,” Moody said. Danny Yeargin, director of golf at TPC San Antonio, said the Oaks Course is unique in the PGA tournament and includes the iconic 16th hole, known as the avocado hole. “What gives Oaks, we’ll say its teeth, [is] it’s the hardest second-shot golf course I’ve ever played,” Yeargin said. “O the tee is kind of forgiving, but then the second shot, you miss at all, you’re done.”
From March 30 to April 5, the Valero Texas Open, or VTO, will be held for the 17th year at The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio in the Stone Oak area. Founded in 1922, Larson Segerdahl, executive director of the VTO, said the city has a unique relationship with the tournament, which is the third-oldest event on the PGA Tour and the sixth-oldest professional golf tournament in the world. “No city has hosted a professional golf tournament longer and more consistently than the city of San Antonio,” he said. The VTO elds 132 professional golf players who compete in a four-round event running from Thursday through Sunday. Segerdahl said the tournament week also includes a range of activities, such as music performances and the military heroes’ appreciation banquet. “The tournament has really transitioned from a niche golf event … to now being a can’t-miss event on the San Antonio social scene,” Segerdahl said. Each year, VTO brings in an estimated $36 million to $37 million in local economic impact, Segerdahl said. The Oaks Course layout and amenities Additional amenities include the kids’ autograph zone, where children can meet PGA Tour professionals, the climate-controlled University Health Family Care Pavilion, Michelob ULTRA Build a Bar, the Backyard Spirits Bar and the Heroes Pavilion at the 17th green, which is a complimentary venue for active-duty military members, veterans and rst responders.
Over $281 million in charitable giving since the tournament’s inception $36 million-$37 million in annual total economic impact An average of 60,000 attendees over the four-day tournament
$9.8 million in tournament prizes
$1.76 million purse for the winner
Supports 280 jobs and utilizes over 2,400 workers and volunteers
Average event attendance
Locals
Visitors 58%
42%
SOURCE: VALERO TEXAS OPEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Diving in deeper
Key:
Approximately 42% of VTO attendees come from outside San Antonio, and the average visiting attendee spends roughly $502 per day, including the cost of their hotel. Since 2022, the tournament has averaged more than 60,000 attendees over the four-day competi- tion, according to VTO o cials.
Walking path Course holes Restrooms
Bleachers Concession stands
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VTO’s historic timeline
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1920
1922: Inaugural Texas Open with a nal prize of $5,000 2010: First-ever event held at the new TPC San Antonio 2017: Valero, the PGA Tour and tournament organizers announce a 10- year extension of the VTO 2020: No tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2022: VTO raises a record-breaking $22 million in 2022 as a part of the 100th anniversary of the tournament, bringing the grand total to $209 million in charitable givings
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2010
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2020
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MARRIOTT PKWY.
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2025
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SOURCE: VALERO TEXAS OPEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: VALERO TEXAS OPEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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