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» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
March 14, 2008
It’s all a numbers game when it comes to the Shell Houston Open and the new parking partnership with the Houston Airport System (HAS).
There’s going to be plenty of airport parking available for tournament goers at the Parking Cents on-airport value lot at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Tournament patrons can then hop on a shuttle bus for the 10-minute ride over to the Redstone Golf Club, all for a roundtrip fee of $5.00 for adults. The ride is free for children accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
“We see this partnership as mutually beneficial for everyone involved,” says Janet Schaefer, acting assistant director of the properties division of the Houston Airport System.
Some 4,000 spaces will be available in the city-owned long term parking lot just past Greens Road adjacent to John F. Kennedy Boulevard at IAH. The lot, which can be identified by its colorful pink pig decorated shuttles, can also accommodate buses.
“The Houston Golf Association, the Shell Houston Open and the Houston Airport System have teamed up to make it easier and more convenient for the tens of thousand of people who attend this event. It’s an opportunity to cut down on the traffic, perhaps some of the emissions, people can save a little gas and they will be delivered right to the tournament entrance,” noted Schaefer.
This premier golf tournament is set to take place at the Redstone Golf Club near Bush Intercontinental from March 31st through April 6th. It is the lead-into the Master’s Tournament - one of the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf.
The family event generally draws crowds ranging from 125,000 to 150,000 thousand.
“The Shell Houston Open has an economic impact of $25 million-plus annually,” said Steve Timms, president and CEO of the Houston Golf Association, who also serves as tournament director. “It is televised around the world and shows Houston in a positive light.”
There are a number of exhibits near the tournament entrance including The First Tee of Houston/Redstone Chapter, which offers free golf instruction to youngsters ages 7-18. Also be sure to look for the Houston Airport System tent. This year’s tournament is offering top golfing talent including Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, British Open Champ Padraig Harrington and previous Shell Houston Open winner, Adam Scott.
Since Shell Oil Company became the title sponsor in 1992, the Houston Golf Association has generated some $43 million for local agencies and contributed more than $2.2 million to charity.
Finally let’s check the scoreboard. The longest runway at IAH - 10,000 feet - is a little bit less than five times the length of the longest hole on the course this year – the par five, number fifteen, that is 609 yards.
Add a stroke of good luck and you wind up with a winning combination between The Houston Golf Association and the Houston Airport System.
For more information about the Houston Shell Open, please check their website at www.shellhoustonopen.com.
For more information about how to get to the long term Parking Cents lot at IAH, please Click Here.
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