Westfield gears up for Indiana’s first LIV Golf tournament

Westfield, Indiana, prepares for LIV Golf

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — The LIV Golf tour is set to make its first stop in the Hoosier state.

Professional golfers will tee off in Westfield a week from Friday.

The city and the course, Chatham Hills, are working on their approach, preparing to welcome nearly 20,000 people a day for the three-day tournament.

It’s been a work in progress since November, when the announcement was made that Westfield would host the tournament.

Henke Development Group is part of the team that helped bring LIV Golf to central Indiana. Partner Betsy Henke Garfield says they’re hoping to capitalize on an international spotlight. “Indy is not only just a sports town, but we also love golf. I think sometimes that gets missed. What started as just an incredible, unique opportunity for our club, very quickly turned into feeling like you’re representing your state.”

About a week out from the tour stop, organizers on Tuesday were putting the final touches on the course. It’s the last course iconic golf architect and Indiana native Pete Dye designed before his death in January 2020.

Some of the final touches include putting up LED screens and six premium hospitality suites.

Tournament director Tim Flaherty says they’re also working closely with law enforcement to handle parking.  “We’ve had a tremendous response from tickets. We’ve got an unprecedented amount of tickets that were sold for this event, but we do have tickets still remaining.”

The competition looks to drive money toward local businesses, too. Republican Mayor Scott Willis estimates the tournament will generate a $35 million boost for the city’s economy. “This is kind of introducing Westfield to the international community, lets the world know of what we’re capable of doing here in this little, small city of Westfield, Indiana.”

Even though the LIV tour has not announced whether or not it will return to the Indianapolis area for next year, Chatham Hills hopes to play the long game. Garfield said, “It really is just a huge honor to represent golf in Indiana and to have an event that’s both extremely competitive but also very approachable. Our goal is to make more fans of golf.”

LIV Golf Indianapolis tees off at noon Aug. 15. Gates will open at 10 a.m. Tickets, ranging from $98 to $1,200 depending on type and day, are available on the tournament website.

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