Oakmont Officials, Businesses Hoping To Cash In During U.S. Open
OAKMONT (KDKA) -- Oakmont is in the national spotlight as the U.S. Open takes center stage over the next few days. And just as the players are preparing, so is the surrounding community.
The U.S. Open has been played at Oakmont nine times. That's more than any other golf course in the country. It's a big deal, and an even bigger deal for the borough and the people there.
The new Hulton Bridge is wide open for all of the traffic coming in and out of Oakmont. While golfers, spectators, and others are arriving in town, business owners are hoping they all leave something behind –cash.
"Oakmont is booming this week," says Summer Tissue, of the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce. "We've seen an increase in revenue."
People are hitting the streets, checking out what Oakmont has to offer, enjoying it, and most importantly, spending money.
The Pub at 333 just opened 24 hours ago.
"In the last 24 hours, it was pretty good. We had a great first day," said manager Jen Sanrocco.
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Tony Serrao says the Oakmont Bakery is going all out.
"We are making doughnut holes into golf balls, chocolate chip cookies with the Oakmont logo on them, cupcakes with a golf ball on top," he says. "A lot of people are in for lunch. By ten till six every morning, we have a line come in for breakfast sandwiches. It's been great, great for the town, great for business."
The U.S. Open runs from June 16 through June 19.
Jaime Spohn is counting on the Open to help foot the bill for her upcoming wedding.
"I just decided I need money for my wedding, so we figured we would park some cars and see how much we got," she said.
Spohn says the family has parked cars in their driveway for other U.S. Opens at Oakmont, and have made money at $20 a car.
So, whether you are a business owner or family entrepreneurs, all are hoping for a hole in one off the course.
