By Sean Gundry
When most people think of The Masters golf tournament, they think of the pristine course at Augusta National, and golfers like Tiger Woods.
But reality for most fans, like the LaRoys, is taking in the local sites and golf in Columbia.
"We're just here to play some golf, spend a few nights," said Chuck LaRoy. "And then we're headed down to Augusta during the days."
The LaRoys came down from the Upstate, just for Masters week.
"We're looking forward to seeing the pristine course," said Chuck's son Chris. "And maybe getting some autographs."
Visitors like LaRoy don't only drive up sales at golf courses, they boost the Midland's economy as a whole. Nearly 95% of the city's 10,400 hotel rooms are booked this week, restaurants report weekly sales increases of up to 40% during Masters week, and local bars say their liquor and beer sales are up nearly 30%, according to the Columbia Visitors Bureau.
But regardless of how much money the LaRoys spend, they say it's money and time well spent.
"The Master's is great," said Chuck. "But spending quality time with my son is really what it's all about."
"You've got to treat it like it's the last time you'll ever go," said Chris. "Because it just may be."
And while it may be the last time the LaRoys get to go to the Masters, for Columbia, the money keeps rolling in.
