Every year in late April, residents will see a host of private jets descending from the skies and down onto the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Indeed, the private jet hanger always fills up towards the end of April as the worlds best golfers arrive in town to try and win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
With a collective purse of $7.3 million on offer to the field, one can see why there is a sharp increase in activity in New Orleans’ air traffic control tower over this time.
The unrelatable lifestyle of the mega-rich and extremely famous
To some, there will always be an indifference to the news that a bunch of PGA Tour golfers have flocked to their city for an event. In fact, there may even be an air of cynicism around their intentions given how much money is on the line. These are after all some of the richest athletes on the planet and that always brings about some type of disconnect with people who naturally battle to identify with a life that rewards in such abundance.
@b_dechambeau taking the trophy home in style. #OnlyNetJets pic.twitter.com/kkKTzkuOPc
NetJets (@NetJets) July 6, 2020
Of course, winning golf tournaments at the highest level isn’t a walk in the park. Far from it. It takes an enormous amount of skill to beat the best in the world.
Even still, the career earnings list is enough to make ones eyes water given how richly rewarded these golfers are for not necessarily even coming close to winning. With that said, the temptation to be cynical about exorbitant earnings should be lessened by the fact that this tournament, through its title sponsor Zurich Insurance, has given back an extraordinary amount to the community of New Orleans.
Zurich gives back
Since Zurich took over as the main sponsor of the event in 2005, they have generated $21 million for charities within New Orleans. Additionally, the company has overseen the building of new houses for the disadvantaged and given out gift cards worth $280,000 to those less fortunate.
As for the event itself, so many New Orleans-based businesses prosper when the marquee tents go up for the week as they get to enjoy one of the heaviest footfalls of the year. Indeed, fans from around the world make their way to New Orleans for this tournament, which brings a much-needed boost to the local accommodation sector as hotels book up fast across the city. Its no wonder that the masses come from far and wide to enjoy the week, given how much locally-made and, of course, exclusive memorabilia is on sale for punters to snap up. And as for what that memorabilia is, well, it can range from shirts, baseball hats, and even golf clubs.
Things are moving quickly at @TPCLouisiana getting ready for the 2021 Zurich Classic! #teamgolf @TraubeTent ?? pic.twitter.com/6fDsk21ZMJ
Zurich Classic (@Zurich_Classic) April 8, 2021
This golf tournament has also become somewhat of an advert for the best emerging food and beverage trends in the city. Indeed, the hospitality on offer gives local companies a chance to entertain a new clientele which ultimately leads to many doors opening for them in the future.
It’s a win-win for the Big Easy
It becomes easier to see how much the New Orleans community benefits from this prestigious sporting event when you consider the vast knock-on effect it has on the local economy. However, without the involvement of Zurich Insurance and their unwavering commitment to this annual showpiece, none of this would be possible. In many respects, it’s easy to forget that this is, first and foremost, a golf tournament when weighing up all the benefits.
As for the actual golf on show, well, thats not too shabby either, given that the worlds best golfers make New Orleans their home for the week. Golfing enthusiasts who live locally are given the chance to see players like world number one Dustin Johnson in action. The South Carolina native, who as of the 16th of April is priced by Betway at 12/1 to win the PGA Championship, always commands a big gallery in New Orleans as he thrills locals around TPC Louisiana. Indeed, the 18-hole course is in the top 100 in the world, as ranked by Golf Digest, and is certainly another huge attraction of the week.
Its great to be back at Augusta! Ready for this week. #themasters pic.twitter.com/3azftTr0Gz
Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) April 5, 2021
All in all, this is a golf tournament that gives as much to the players as it does to those who live in New Orleans. Not every golf tournament can boast of being able to do that, but the one that is played in the early spring in the Big Easy can.
