Fort Madison Lures Visitors with Disc Golf Tournament Boost

The Fort Madison Tourism Commission has made a bold move to shake up its approach to boosting tourism in the city. By allocating $2,000 to the Old Fort Open Disc Golf Tournament, the commission is taking a deliberate step towards diversifying its efforts to attract new visitors. The grant will cover expenses and prize money for the event, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

John Shaw, the tournament director, expressed his gratitude for the commission's support, highlighting that this level of funding is unprecedented. "In the past, we received $200 from the city, but never this much," he said, emphasizing the significance of the commission's contribution. The grant was made possible by a combination of commission funds and matching corporate sponsorships.

The tournament itself will take place over two days, June 16th and 17th, with Shaw anticipating that visitors will be drawn from farther distances due to the extended duration. "This is one of the things the commission has been talking about – getting heads in beds," he explained, noting that the event's format is designed to encourage overnight stays in local hotels.

City manager Byron Smith spoke on behalf of the Fort Madison Tourism Commission, confirming that the members are optimistic about the tournament's potential to drive tourism growth. "We feel like this event will really help put people in hotel rooms, and we want to give the tournament director a chance to replenish his funding sources," he said.

The commission's commitment extends beyond just financial support. They also plan to monitor the tournament's progress, with Smith stating that they would be willing to provide assistance for a short period of time to help it get established. "We think the commission will want to see them get their own sponsorship base going," he added.

John Shaw is also excited about the development of a new disc golf course in Fort Madison, which should be ready by next season. He noted that the course will offer a unique experience, with players able to start on one hole and play 54 consecutive holes – a feature that sets it apart from other cities' facilities.

In recent years, the tournament was held at a C-tier level, attracting relatively few visitors. However, this year's event has been upgraded to B tier, which Shaw believes will draw higher-quality players and more professional disc golfers. Next year, the commission is aiming even higher – with plans to rank the tournament as an A tier.

The investment by the Fort Madison Tourism Commission in the Old Fort Open Disc Golf Tournament represents a significant step forward for the city's tourism efforts. With its upgraded ranking and extended duration, the event promises to bring more visitors to the area, stimulating local economic growth and cementing Fort Madison's reputation as a hub for outdoor activities.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/old-fort-open-at-fort-madison