March 2, 2016

2016 Golden Shovel for U.S. Open

The fifth annual EDB Golden Shovel Award was presented March 2 at our annual meeting, attended by more than 500 business, community and government leaders.

The EDB created this award to honor organizations or individuals that have made a significant contribution to the economic well-being of Tacoma-Pierce County.

This year we were pleased to present the Golden Shovel Award to two people who led the effort to deliver the biggest sporting event in the history of the Northwest to Pierce County.

The Open generated $134 million in economic impact for the region and introduced the glories of the South Sound to millions of people around the world who watched on television.

This was in addition to the thousands of visitors who made their way to our corner of the world for the first time and were blown away by our hospitality, positive energy and fabulous June weather (who knew!).

The benefits from the Open will continue for many years and we certainly want the USGA to come back as soon as possible for another great week of golf.

A U.S. Open doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work and considerable risk taking.

Our U.S. Open succeeded because of the amazing vision of County Executive John Ladenburg and the brilliant follow-through of County Executive Pat McCarthy and their staff teams. Congratulations to County Executive McCarthy and former County Executive Ladenburg – winners of the 2016 Golden Shovel.

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