GREENSBORO — The same people who helped save the region’s only professional golf event now want to ride that energy to create jobs for
the Piedmont Triad. An agreement has been struck to put some of the proceeds from the Wyndham Championship into an effort to grow jobs in three areas: aerospace, furniture, and science and medical technology. And that will be in addition to the tournament’s regular contributions to charity. The deal is significant enough that a segment will air this weekend during the Wyndham Championship that shows PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem , Wyndham Worldwide Chairman Stephen Holmes and BB&T CEO Kelly King interviewed by CBS commentator Bill Macatee on the topic of job growth. This will be the first tournament to earmark a portion of its proceeds specifically for job development. Details on how money would be spent on economic development have not yet been worked out. “Let’s use this to get our leaders together,” said Bobby Long , chairman of the local foundation that runs the Wyndham tournament, “and let’s make this tournament great.” With those three industries, the Wyndham Championship will be the fourth piece in the plan. The PGA event will promote the area each year nationally and internationally, he said.
“When you’re competing for jobs,” Long said, “you’ve got to have a brand out there.”