JUNE 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 19
By STEVE BELLONE
Suffolk County Executive
This month, the coveted and
historic 2018 U.S. Open Golf
Championship makes its return to
the prestigious Shinnecock Hills
Golf Club in Southampton. For the
fifth time, June 11 to 17, the U.S.
Golf Association (USGA) will kick
off this annual rite of passage. Long
Island has a rich history of hosting
major golf events, and this year we
will continue that tradition.
This game is fortuitous for our county.
It develops the region, cultivates
tourism, delivers employment, and
ultimately allows residents and
audience to meet some of the most
prestigious and big-name golfers in
the world, including Tiger Woods.
World-class events such as this offer
considerable job opportunities.
This year, there will be more than
2,000 temporary food service and
hospitality jobs, event security and
staff positions, parking attendants
and shuttle/bus depot attendants
jobs, and many more positions.
Our partnership with companies
such as Ridgewells/Purple Tie,
MTK Resources, Country Club
Services, and Andy Frain Services
is a testament to our Suffolk County
Department of Labor and local
businesses helping our residents
secure gainful employment.
Amazingly, event security leader
Andy Frain Services will also help
unlicensed applicants become
licensed for free. This means that
even after the U.S. Open, individuals
that are now licensed can go on to
find other permanent positions.
There is also a regional economic
benefit as well. The golf championship
is anticipated to generate between
up to $130 million, and there is no
doubt that it will attract extensive
tourism. With millions of people in
more than 150 countries tuning in to
watch the championship, Suffolk will
experience tremendous economic
development through the region.
Approximately 8,000 hotel rooms
are expected to be booked with
the anticipation of an expected
attendance of more than 200,000
people, including players, fans,
volunteers, vendors and media. There
are also additional options for hotels.
Suffolk will make available our
county parks for those seeking to
leisure and stay in our picturesque
campgrounds. With more than
46,000 acres of parkland, 200
historical sites and 100 public
beaches within its boundaries,
Suffolk is a natural playground, and
camping is an immersive alternative
to lodging during the U.S. Open.
Those looking for a convenient,
low-priced substitute for hotels
can easily visit, reserve, and enjoy
a scenic stay at Cedar Point, Sears
Bellows, or Indian Island county
campgrounds.
We look forward to working together
to make this, and many other future
USGA events, a resounding success
for both our region and the sport
of golf. We are truly excited about
this opportunity to allow the world
to experience the hidden gems our
residents enjoy daily.
POINT OF VIEW
PGA ON LI: HOLE IN ONE
DISCOVER REAL
POSSIBILITIES
ACROSS
LONG ISLAND
From Mineola to Montauk, AARP
is working on issues important to
you and your family so you can get
the most out of life. It’s why we’re
connecting with you at fun, free
and informative events like movie
screenings, financial seminars and
fraud prevention workshops. You
can even connect with others at
discounted theater performances
and at select sporting events.
Learn more and get to know
us by calling 1-866-227-7442
or visiting aarp.org/longisland.
Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.