Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday welcomed golfers and visitors to the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, with the tournament starting Thursday, May 18th. The week-long event is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of $190 million in direct, indirect and induced spending, with more than 225,000 spectators expected to attend. This will bring a dramatic economic ripple effect, as visitors will eat and stay in the region, support local businesses and explore all that the Finger Lakes has to offer. The event marks the fourth time that Oak Hill has played host to the PGA Championship; the tournament was last held there in 2013.
“The PGA Championship is one of our nation’s premier sporting events, celebrating the most talented, most competitive golfers in the world, and we are thrilled to continue its long history in New York State with this year’s tournament,” Governor Hochul said. “With world-renowned athletes and more than 225,000 spectators expected to attend, this event will not only put Rochester on a global stage – it will also provide an economic boost to the entire Finger Lakes region. I am proud to welcome golf enthusiasts from around the world to experience New York’s breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant local businesses and encourage them to stop by our Taste NY and I LOVE NY kiosks to learn more about everything that our state has to offer.”
Additionally, New York State’s partnership with PGA of America will continue in 2025 with the 45th Ryder Cup set to be held at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale.
PGA of America Championship Director Bryan Karns said, “We are thrilled to continue the incredible legacy of PGA of America Championships contested in New York. We are connected through the past in 1916 with the founding of the PGA in New York City, the present as we host our 13th PGA Championship in the Empire State this week, and the future with Long Island hosting the largest event in all of golf, the Ryder Cup. New York State has set the standard for hosting Major Championship golf and this week will be no different as we showcase Western N.Y. to the entire world.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York State is incredibly proud to welcome the PGA, its members, and the many thousands of visitors to this weeklong event at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. By supporting world-renowned events like this, we are provided with the great opportunity to showcase the beautiful Finger Lakes region to a global audience, sharing the many businesses, attractions, and craft food and beverage offerings that make the region unique.”
The New York State Tasting Yard, presented by Taste NY and I LOVE NY, is an outdoor, patio-style food and beverage sampling experience at Oak Hill. It will feature the best of New York State agriculture, with a rotating array of food and beverages from more than 100 New York State wineries, craft breweries, cideries, meaderies, distilleries and food producers, and showcase the state’s world-class attractions and destinations. This experience will give Championship visitors a taste of New York’s world-class agricultural products and cuisine, and a glimpse into the diversity of the farms, vineyards, craft breweries and attractions across the state.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We’re excited to put the excellence of New York agriculture on display at this year’s PGA Championship in Rochester. Thanks to our strong partnerships with the PGA of America, I LOVE NY, and Empire State Development, the New York State Tasting Yard will ensure that New York’s diverse, delicious food and beverages will be front and center at one of the top tournaments in the country, giving our producers an opportunity to connect with thousands of attendees from around the globe.”
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “As golfers and fans converge upon the Finger Lakes for the PGA Championship, I LOVE NY will be at Oak Hill Country Club to help visitors learn more about the great attractions in the region and throughout the State, like world-class golf courses, picturesque outdoor recreation, and incredible sporting Halls of Fame. As one of golf’s four major tournaments, the PGA Championship offers an incredible opportunity to share the attractions, food and beverages that make New York State the destination for travelers to find what they love.”
The New York State Tasting Yard will feature fresh, unique products from more than 100 New York State food and beverage producers, including craft beer and spirits, wines, packaged snacks, salsa, desserts, and energy bars. Images of the Tasting Yard are available here. The Tasting Yard includes several dedicated spaces and promotions that will engage visitors with New York State’s agricultural and tourism offerings. These include:
- The Taste NY Tasting Bar, showcasing a rotating selection of food and beverage samples from New York State producers.
- The I LOVE NY Lounge, where guests can enjoy their samples while learning more about New York State attractions and pick up an I LOVE NY souvenir.
- The I LOVE NY Photo Kiosk, giving guests the opportunity to pose in front of a sculpture featuring the iconic I LOVE NY logo and receive an I LOVE NY and PGA-themed digital postcard.
The New York State Tasting Yard will be open May 15-17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., May 18-20 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and May 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A schedule of participating producers is available here.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Taste NY, New York State’s flagship eat local, drink local program. Earlier this year, Governor Hochul announced that Taste NY has grown significantly since its launch in 2013, bringing over $100 million in economic impact to New York State producers over 10 years of the program. Over the last decade Taste NY has partnered with several major sports venues and formed partnerships with high profile event organizers to bring Taste NY products to major sporting events, including the PGA Championship.
Market Manager, Finger Lakes Welcome Center Jennifer Kime said, “The Taste NY program being part of the PGA Tour is a wonderful opportunity for our statewide vendors. It allows New York State to promote the bounty of our regions from craft beverages to cheeses, coffees, chocolates, and so much more! Allowing our vendors to participate in this event will provide great worldwide exposure for them and the potential to reach a whole new audience. We hope that everyone gets a chance to Taste NY and wish good luck to all the athletes.”
For more information on the economic impact of the 2023 PGA Championship, go here.
