Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As the PGA Championship at Oak Hill near Rochester comes to a close, local golf experts say the event helped boost the sport's popularity with golfers in Western New York.
The storied finish for club pro Michael Block, including a hole-in-one, only added tot he local golf frenzy surrounding the major event held in Western New York
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Mike Dzaibo of Lancaster County Club worked the driving range during the tournament last week. He says he saw plenty of WNY golf fans in Pittsford. "I was able to see many of our members up there, a lot of junior golfers around, waiting for autographs checking out the play. So I think it definitely, definitely is something that will move the needle for golf and golf interest being in the area," says Dzaibo.
Dzaibo says this region loves its golf, despite the short season we have. "We have a lot of great courses in the area. I believe the western New York golfers get in a lot of rounds," says Dzaibo. He notes many golfers also travel to warmer areas to get their golf in or a golf trip over the winter.
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Fred Zillner of Diamond Hawk Golf Course agrees with Dzaibo about golf's popularity here. "I think we're pretty big. I think we got a lot of rabid golfers," says Zillner. He too was at the PGA Championship and spotted many Buffalo-area PGA fans. "Anytime you have something that big and so local, it really sparks a great interest," notes Zillner.
Zillner says golf has taken off here especially since the COVID pandemic, as it's a safe sport and you're not brought inside with everyone standing together. There's another reason why golf is popular here, says Zillner, a sense of community. "You get to be friends with people you play with. A lot of times you're playing with the same group of guys, and it really just enhances (Buffalo's) family attitude," says Zillner.
Could we see a PGA Tour event in Buffalo down the road? Dzaibo thinks we have the courses for it. "I think we have two or three clubs that could definitely host it as far as quality of course and venue," believes Dzaibo. He also believes there's definitely a market here as far as attendance, sponsors and business opportunities. ZIllner says WNY would get a lot of attention with a PGA Tour stop, but his course likely wouldn't be chosen. "I don't think we're long enough because those guys out there are really good. They hit the ball a long, long way. We have a tough golf course, we have great greens, but I just don't think we have the length now that all the modern golf courses have," says Zillner. But he does think the LPGA Tour could stop there.