While bringing outstanding golf to an exceptional course is a worthy goal, the real goal of the Chautauqua Regional Economic Development Corporation is to help drive economic growth through an outstanding event. In that way, the PGA-sanctioned 2018 LECOM Health Challenge can only be dubbed a true success.

Thousands of people, many of whom have never or seldom visited Chautauqua County before, came to watch the Web.com Tour event at Peek’n Peak. Hundreds of thousands of others watched live coverage on the Golf Channel, putting our great county in the living rooms of golf fans worldwide.

The efforts of so many people, from organizers to sponsors to the more than 300 volunteers, are instrumental in helping to shine a spotlight on our region. We congratulate all of them.

We were fortunate to share the Explore Chautauqua County tent with the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, where we were able to talk with hundreds of people to provide them with a glimpse of the additional amazing attractions, recreational opportunities and other points of interest right here in our own backyard. It’s amazing how many people from nearby communities have sampled only small portions of what Chautauqua County has to offer. Thanks to these efforts, we expect them to branch out into all of our villages, cities and towns. We are certain the winner of this year’s tournament, Nelson Ledesma of Argentina, will always remember Chautauqua County as the location of his first ever win on the Web.com tour.

The tournament’s Small Business Award went to Stuart Tool & Die of Falconer and was accepted by P.J. Degnan during closing ceremonies. Doug Mahany of Putnam Record Insurance accepted a Veteran’s award in memory of his late father, Rowland, a U.S. Navy Veteran.

The LECOM Health Challenge is an important event to our region bringing people and dollars into our economy and promoting Chautauqua County on the national and international stage. Again, thank you and congratulations to those who made for another great year of PGA golf in Chautauqua County.

SIGN UP FOR THE SILVER

CREEK YARD SALES AUG. 4

The Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce will host the Silver Creek Yard Sales on Saturday, Aug. 4. All residents of the Silver Creek community can sign up to participate in this important event, which helps to support year-round programming by the Hanover Community Chamber including a band for the July 3 fireworks at Borrello Park, the window decorating contest for the Silver Creek Festival of Grapes, and scholarships for local graduating high school seniors.

Residents who want to participate by holding a sale can sign up at Silver Creek Optical. The cost is just $10 and it covers participation in the blanket sales permit from the Village as well as a listing on the yard sale map. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 1.

For more information, please contact Dave Kleparek, Coordinator of the Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce, at (716) 366-6200 or by email at dkleparek@chautauquachamber.org.

CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT IS AUG. 16

The Annual Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is Aug. 16. You can play where the pros play on the spectacular upper course at Peek’n Peak.

The 2018 Chamber Golf Tournament is sponsored by DFT Communications, Bush Industries, Community Bank, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Insurance Management Company, Jamestown Mattress Company, Koester Associates, Lake Shore Savings Bank, Lawley Insurance, Lynn Development, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, National Grid, Nestle Purina PetCare, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Shults Auto Group. A portion of the proceeds from this tournament go toward the Thomas L. Barresi Scholarship fund through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

For more information or to register, call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101 or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org/events. And be sure to attend the Chautauqua County Fair, July 16-22 at the Fairgrounds on Central Avenue, Dunkirk.

MAYVILLE ENTERTAINMENT IN

THE PARK SERIES CONTINUES ALL SUMMER

The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber continues its summer Entertainment in the Park series on Thursday evenings. The July 19 program will feature Bill Ward and Amanda Barton. Bill Ward, a Mayville resident and a long-time local favorite performer at this summertime concert series, has been a musician and performer for many years. Joining Bill on the concert stage for this performance will be Amanda Barton, who has performed with a number of regional groups including Big Leg Emma. Bill and Amanda have graced the Mayville concert series stage for past performances and will again present an entertaining evening of music at scenic Lakeside Park. Rainbow the Clown (Jerry Stimson) will also be on hand to entertain the children with face painting and creative balloon sculptures. Remember to bring your own seating for outdoor performances. In case of rain, the performance will be held at the Carlson Community Center in the park.

Other performances coming up this summer are the Rustic Ramblers July 26, the Chautauqua Theater Company Shakespeare performance of As You Like It Aug. 2, the Blue Mule Band Aug. 9, Barbara Jean Aug. 16, The Lake Effect Aug. 23, and Come Back Patsy Cline Tribute Aug. 30. These free performances are brought to you through the generous support and sponsorship by the Town of Chautauqua and Village of Mayville.