Ka-Ching (Chains and Cash Registers)

For a sport that’s often free to play, disc golf’s biggest events pack a surprising economic impact, delivering real returns to local economies. York County, South Carolina, is a prime example – by hosting the 2024 College Disc Golf National Championship and United States Disc Golf Championship, the area brought in millions in spending, created hundreds of jobs, and filled thousands of hotel rooms. Disc golfers already know the value of our sport, but when it comes to convincing a town to build a course or host an event, money talks. York County gives evidence that investing in disc golf can pay off. 

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2024 College Disc Golf National Championship

The 2024 College Disc Golf National Championship drew over 200 teams and 750 student-athletes. When you include caddies, coaches, family, and fans, that influx of people translated to more than $1 million in direct business sales. The event supported over 330 jobs and contributed to nearly $100,000 in local tax revenue.

Attendees booked over 3,500 hotel room nights during the event. Spending on lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation, and transportation all brought outside dollars into Rock Hill, South Carolina. On top of direct business sales, the event generated nearly $500,000 in induced sales, making CDGNC’s total economic impact over $1.5 million. Not bad for a four-day event! 

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2024 United States Disc Golf Championship

For over 25 years, the USDGC has returned to Rock Hill bringing with it thousands of spectators and hundreds of athletes, staff, and volunteers. Last year, roughly 5,000 people came to York County for the event, a significant tourism boost for a region of 300,000. Since many of those are fans on vacation as opposed to athletes on a budget, the contribution to local spending from USDGC really adds up. In total, the economic impact exceeded $3 million in 2024—more than $2 million of that from direct business sales. 

And that’s just the local effect. USDGC qualifying happens across the country and the tournament itself is broadcast worldwide. The prestige of the event elevates Rock Hill’s visibility beyond state lines, bringing long-term benefits like visitors who come to town to play Winthrop and other local courses throughout the year.

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Invest in Disc Golf

Between the CDGNC and USDGC, over $4.5 million in economic activity was generated in York County from just two disc golf events. That’s real money flowing into hotels, restaurants, shops, and city budgets. 

Installing a disc golf course, whether a nine-hole ace place or a pro-level layout, creates value. Smaller courses offer free outdoor recreation, enhance park systems, and introduce the sport to new players. As interest grows, those courses can lay the groundwork for building championship-level layouts capable of hosting destination events that attract visitors from around the country.

Cities and towns looking for a cost-effective way to stimulate tourism, boost local businesses, and expand recreation opportunities should take note: Disc golf delivers. Just ask York County.

The post The Economic Impact of Disc Golf’s Biggest Tournaments (USDGC!) appeared first on Innova Disc Golf.