San Diego hoping to make money from 2021 U.S. Open

Now that the San Diego City Council has unanimously approved bringing the U.S. Open back to Torrey Pines in 2021, officials will focus on making the tournament profitable.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for our great city,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said.

The last time the Open came to San Diego, in 2008, the city received well over $3 million in rent, sales tax and other revenues, according to figures discussed at a council meeting last Thursday.

“The city’s revenue generation from the [2021] event should be even more positive,” independent budget analyst Andrea Tevlin told council members.

The USGA will pay $2.5 million in rent — up from $500,000 in 2008 — and give the city 20% of the corporate hospitality sales. There will, however, be as much as $500,000 in costs for improving the facilities.

The 2008 Open featured an extra day of golf with Tiger Woods facing Rocco Mediate in a historic playoff.

“We hope that the challenge of Torrey South will make for another dramatic finish and many more visitors,” Faulconer said.