SDMGA: Response to Tod Leonard's It takes a corporate village to raise a U.S. Open U-T article.
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OPPORTUNITY COSTS: Tod, let me first say that I greatly appreciate your support of the citizen golfers in San Diego and I hope you continue to shine the light of the press on our one sided City Government. At one time I was sales promotion manager for a Fortune 500 company and staged Super Bowl (events), major sales events and other activities, so I am not naive and unfamiliar with corporate outings.That being said I was disgusted with the hijacking of a municipal asset for the 2008 U.S. Open without apparent benefit to the city. I know people will argue that there's occupancy tax revenue, restaurant receipts, etc., but for every dollar spent for the Open we in the community will not be utilizing the entertainment facilities. These are called opportunity costs.
The net gain for major events is a lot less than the sponsors advertise. More important, as you (Tod Leonard, May 8) were extolling the millions that Barona and many corporate sponsors will be paying for various privileges, I did not see one dime going directly to the city from the Open organizers. What a rip-off.
I hope people enjoy going through the archway of the “Tillinghast Village.” How disgusting.
JOHN BEAVER, La Jolla
Union-Tribune
Sports Letters
May 13, 2007