Tiger or no Tiger, businesses are booked for Masters

Even more visitors will likely visit the CSRA for the Masters Tournament now that Tiger Woods has announced plans to participate in this year's tournament.

Local restaurant, real estate and hotel officials say it's still too early to tell just how large of an impact Woods' return might have on the local hospitality industry during Masters Week.

"I think we'll see a little more last-minute interest, for sure," said Debbie Bourne, vice president of Blanchard and Calhoun.

Bourne said the buzz has been building for weeks with people speculating whether Woods would participate in the Masters this year. A while ago, Bourne sold the home in which Woods stayed while he participated in the 2008 tournament. The fact that Woods stayed in the home really impressed the buyer.

"He had a lot of memorabilia that Tiger signed throughout the house," Bourne said.

The Realtor said several homes in the Estates at Jones Creek community in Evans, Ga., have been rented.

"We're doing very well; everyone who wanted to rent one in there has rented," she said.

The subdivision is 6 miles from the Augusta National golf course.

Peggy Greer-Buyers, manager at Hotel Aiken, said the hotel is almost booked at this point. She said Woods' announcement has not had much of an effect on the hotel thus far, largely because there aren't many vacancies left.

According to Greer-Buyers, most who plan to visit the hotel for the tournament made their reservations about six months ago.

"We always tell people that six to nine months out is best," she said.

The Hotel Aiken manager said any buzz the announcement has created will likely take a couple of days to surface. The hotel will offer entertainment every night that week and plans for its restaurant to be busy each night as well, Greer-Buyers said.

Allan Rajack, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Aiken, said his hotel is also nearly filled.

"Most people usually make reservations a year out for special events like this," Rajack said. He said the hotel is prepping for the Masters by scheduling additional staff for the week. He said the full-service hotel will also offer specialty dinner items throughout the week.

As far as restaurants go, two local owners are reporting that the news of Woods' return to the game has had no effect on their business.

Randy Stramm, owner of Prime Steakhouse on Richland Avenue downtown, said he has been extremely busy taking reservations for the days during Masters Week.

"My phone has been ringing non-stop from area codes across the country. This started two weeks before Tiger's announcement. If you're in Aiken, please call and make a reservation," Stramm said.

Casa Bella co-owner Arlene Iannelli said the restaurant was busy last year during Masters Week, and she hopes for the same luck this year. Reservations are still available, but she advised people to make them as soon as possible.

Heidi Sklizovic, co-owner of Davor's Cafe, said she thinks business has and will be affected by Woods' presence at the tournament.

"I feel like people will want to see him. We've already had many, many phone calls, and we expect to be very busy. Last year was busy, too. We're already open seven days a week, but we all work harder," she said.