Golf event to use new parking lot
A 90-acre parcel hugging the southeast corner of High Point and Guilford College roads will serve as a central parking lot for next month’s Wyndham Championship golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club.
Tournament Director Mark Brazil said Thursday that using one main lot instead of several satellite lots — a method employed by other PGA Tour events — will help reduce traffic tie-ups on High Point Road, the main artery through the Sedgefield community.
“When you look at (interstates 40 and 85), they both feed into or almost directly into the lot, so I don’t see a lot of people using High Point Road that week,” Brazil said.
The Wyndham Championship is Aug. 14-17. Crowds, drawn in part by the novelty of the tournament’s return to Sedgefield, are expected to increase as the four-day event unfolds.
Wyndham officials are expecting 15,000 fans over the weekend.
The field, which is owned by Koury Corp., can accommodate about 7,000 cars including handicap parking, Brazil said. He said the lot should handle all the spectator parking, but if they need it, officials will use nearby Ragsdale High School.
Parking was one of the biggest concerns for tournament officials after they announced that the tournament was moving closer to the city.
When the tournament was held at Forest Oaks, fans parked a mile from the course and took a one-mile shuttle to the club. This year’s ride will be about two miles and will take about five minutes, Brazil said.
About 10 buses will shuttle fans to and from the course. The buses will travel north on High Point Road before turning right onto Wayne Road. Spectators will be picked up and dropped off at Sedgefield’s driving range.
Brazil said he explored several possibilities for parking.
He didn’t want spectators’ first experience at the tournament to be a 20-minute bus ride, he said. “Fans will be on the course quickly.”
The lot is a temporary fix for the golf tournament. Koury Corp. wants to build a shopping center on the property.
Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com
Accompanying Photos
PARKING POLICIES
Permit must hang from rear-view mirror.
Lost or stolen parking permits will not be replaced.
Automobiles only (campers, vans and recreational vehicles are strictly prohibited).
Towing will be enforced.
Pro-Am contestants park at designated lot, as stated on front of parking pass, on day of Pro-Am.
Handicap parking will be in a designated area in the Public parking lot.
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