Parking plans detailed for tournament
WHARTON TWP. – Coordinators of this week’s 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa are confident ample parking will be available to those planning to attend the PGA golf tournament. “We learned a lot last year,” said Rico Tesio, SFX Sports Management operations and sales director. “We’re expecting a bigger crowd, but there will be plenty of available parking.”
SFX is coordinating the tournament, which will feature, among others, world No. 1 Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and John Daly.
Tesio declined to release crowd estimates for this year’s tournament. Last year, officials anticipated upwards of 75,000 people to attend the event, but poor weather conditions kept the numbers much lower.
Like last year, Tesio said, organizers have set up several parking lots within a 5-mile radius of Nemacolin Woodlands. The lots will open 30 minutes before the tournament gates open at Nemacolin. Tesio said the main entrance gates will open at 10 a.m. Monday, 8 a.m., Tuesday, 7 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Planners also are recommending that spectators carpool to lessen traffic congestion and ease parking availability.
Drivers will be directed to the available lots via signs along the major routes and state police officers that will be stationed at the nearest parking site.
Lt. Charles Depp, commander of the state police Uniontown barracks, said troopers from Uniontown, Belle Vernon, Findlay, Waynesburg and Washington will oversee the parking duties throughout the tournament.
“We’ll open the lot closest to Nemacolin, and as that lot fills we’ll move to the next one,” said Tesio. “Everyone should follow the signs and follow the directions of the troopers.”
After their arrival, spectators will be shuttled to the tournament entrance. Cost for the shuttle will be $5 per car. The fee will be collected before spectators enter the shuttle bus.
“It would be helpful to have the exact amount in hand before getting to the bus,” said Tesio.
Handicapped-accessible parking will be available at the resort. Tesio said road signs will direct those needing assistance to the designated handicapped parking area.
Laidlaw Transit Inc. will provide transportation services for the tournament.
“The shuttle plan was very successful last year, and we look for it to be more successful this year,” said Tesio. “(Laidlaw) has onsite transportation managers and oversee not only the parking lot transportation, but also oversee the shuttle stop at the main tournament entrance.”
Shuttles will make continuous trips to and from the parking lots.
“I do not anticipate long delays,” said Tesio. “In most cases, people will get out of their cars and onto the buses for a five- to 10-minute ride to the entrance of the tournament.”
Planners said that no one will be permitted to park along Route 40 or to “drop off” spectators along the roadway.
All spectators must enter the event via a shuttle, Tesio added.