CLYMER – It is unknown if the LECOM Health Challenge Web.com PGA Tour event taking place on the Upper Course at the Peek ‘n Peak Resort in Clymer is increasing business in Jamestown.

The tournament marks the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County, which includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday that is being followed by four rounds of tournament competition that last through Sunday. According to county officials, the LECOM Health Challenge will bring national and international exposure to Chautauqua County and the surrounding region, via a four-day telecast on the Golf Channel. It is projected to have a direct economic impact of $5 to 6 million on the area.

Comments from a few local businesses have been mixed on whether the tournament is leading to more customers. One downtown restaurant has seen an increase in tourist the past couple weeks since the start of the Chautauqua Institution season. Nick Dean, Forte manager/bartender, said business has picked up during the past two weeks, with more tourist visiting the downtown restaurant and bar, located at 114 E. Third St.

”We have seen an increase in customers last week and this week, and I’m sure it is due to likely the golf tournament and the general summer tourism season being in full effect,” he said.

Dean said there has been an increase in reservations during the week and on the weekends, but they still have room to accommodate anyone with an eclectic taste in fine cuisine.

”We’ve seen folks in from the golf course and other summer events who want to dine in downtown Jamestown,” he said. ”The summer folks on the lake come down during the weekdays a lot because they save the weekends for the lake.”

Gialy’s, located at 210 Pine St., hasn’t seen an increase in customers this week coming from the Clymer-based golf tournament.

”We’ve seen nothing untypical,” said Anthony Cusimano, Gialy’s owner. ”Nobody has said there here from the golf tournament. We’re seeing more Chautauqua (Institution) visitors the last two weeks. However, between the parking (difficulties) downtown and shuttles going to Bemus, not much is going on.”

As for hotels, the Hampton Inn, located at 4 W. Oak Hill Road, reserved a section of rooms for potential visitors who wanted to stay in the city at night after being at the Peek ‘n Peak golf course during the day. However, the rooms weren’t reserved

”No unfortunately we had a group block set aside, but on one picked them up for the golf out at Peek ‘n Peak,” said Beth Brown, Hampton Inn general manager.