How the PGA Championship in Aronimink Helps the Main Line Hospitality Scene

by Marilyn Johnson

The world of golf has officially arrived in the Philadelphia suburbs, and for businesses across the Main Line and Delaware County region, the impact extends far beyond the fairways.

This week, the 108th PGA Championship takes center stage at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, drawing one of the largest sporting crowds and tourism surges the region will see this year. The championship returns to the historic Donald Ross-designed course for the first time since 1962, transforming the surrounding communities into a destination not only for golf fans but also for visitors seeking to experience everything the area has to offer.

While the eyes of the golf world focus on the Wanamaker Trophy, local restaurants, hotels, bars, and hospitality businesses are preparing for what many expect to become one of the region’s biggest economic opportunities of the year.

Visitors arriving from across the country often do more than attend a tournament. They book hotel rooms, dine out, explore local shopping districts, and spend time experiencing neighborhoods throughout the Main Line. That ripple effect can create a significant boost for surrounding communities during a major sporting event.

Among those already feeling the momentum is Alessandro “Alex” Fiorello, the 28-year-old restaurateur behind Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian & Bar in Wayne and Alessandro’s Pizzeria in West Chester. Fiorello is also preparing to open Alessandro’s Enoteca in Bryn Mawr later this summer.

For Fiorello, the tournament excitement translates into increased activity.

“The PGA Championship creates a noticeable lift for our business, especially with reservations and private dining inquiries,” Fiorello said. “We’re seeing a lot of golf fans and visitors coming in from outside the Philadelphia region who want to experience the Main Line beyond the tournament itself.”

For restaurants across the region, major events can serve as introductions and opportunities for first-time visitors to discover places they might otherwise never have encountered.

“Major events like the PGA are huge for local restaurants because they introduce new people to the area and help showcase how strong the hospitality scene has become here,” Fiorello added. “There’s a real energy around the Main Line right now, and we’re excited to be part of that.”

Restaurants throughout the area are leaning into the excitement with specialty offerings and event-driven promotions designed to connect with the golf crowd. Fiorello said his team is embracing the moment with a tournament-inspired twist.

“We’re leaning into the weekend with a specialty Arnold Palmer cocktail tied to the tournament,” he said.

The buzz surrounding the week has also extended beyond golf itself. Fiorello noted that country music star Luke Bryan recently stopped by the restaurant with a large group before his Saturday performance, adding another layer of excitement to an already active week.

“Luke Bryan was at the restaurant Friday night with a large group ahead of his performance Saturday, which has added to the excitement surrounding the event.”

The timing creates a convergence of sports, entertainment, and tourism that businesses hope will continue through the summer season.

For communities throughout Delaware County and the Main Line, the PGA Championship is more than a major sporting event. It serves as a spotlight moment and a chance to showcase the region’s dining scene, hospitality industry, and local culture to thousands of visitors.

And while one player will ultimately leave Aronimink holding the Wanamaker Trophy, local businesses are hoping the tournament delivers something equally valuable: new customers who discover the area this week and return long after the final putt drops.