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U.S. Open To Generate $100M Into The Local Economy

By Brad Segall

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The U.S. Open gets underway today at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore and hospitality industry experts say one of golf's premiere events could pump more than $100-million into the local economy.

Nearly 200-thousand spectators, volunteers and staff are expected to attend the week long event.

That's a lot of food, merchandise, rides and of course hotel rooms.

Businesses that are close to Merion Golf Club have been reporting sharp increases in bookings.

Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau executive director Tore Fiore says it's the hotels that will see the biggest spikes.

Fiore says, "our average daily occupancy rate in Delaware County is 68 to 69 percent. We're talking 80 to probably over 90 percent hotel occupancy for this week."

What makes the U.S. Open unique says Fiore is that it's an international event and hotels have been taking reservations from around the world.

Economic impact estimates are based on past years.

Last year the San Francisco Bay Area generated about $130-million.

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