Rheem Classic to Generate $5M in Impact Fort Smith Area

About 156 PGA golfers from across the country will come play for the $475,000 purse in the Rheem Classic at Fort Smith’s 6,783-yard Hardscrabble Country Club from May 9-15.

Lisa Baker, tournament director, said the eighth annual tourney is expected to bring in about $5 million in economic impact to the city of Fort Smith.

There are 300 corporate sponsors for the event, which have put up a combined $600,000 as of the first week in April, Baker said. Last year’s attendance topped out at 5,300 spectators during one of the tournament days, she said.

Frank Fodge, marketing operations manager for Rheem Manufacturing Co. in Fort Smith, said the tournament will be televised live on The Golf Channel from May 12-15 during noon to 3:30 p.m. play, and that day’s play will be re-broadcast that evening.

Fodge said the company has been the presenting sponsor for the event for the last two years, and that it’s a great opportunity for Rheem to contribute to the community. He said the event has given a total of $750,000 to charities during its seven-year history, and the goal this year is to raise at least $100,000 for the 10 sponsored charities.