Partnership between Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism, the Economic Development Authority, and the American Junior Golf Association demonstrates how attracting visitors supports local businesses and strengthens the economy.
STAFFORD, VA — A national junior golf tournament brought more than competition to Stafford County this summer. It brought visitors, business opportunities, and an estimated $314,061 in regional economic impact, demonstrating how strategic investments in tourism can help strengthen the local economy.
The 2026 Tour Stafford Preview, an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament held June 15–18 at Augustine Golf Club, welcomed athletes and families from across the United States and internationally. Supported by Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism and a $25,000 contribution from the Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA), the event highlights how partnerships and targeted investments can attract new spending, support local businesses, and increase Stafford County’s visibility as a destination.
The tournament featured 96 golfers representing 21 states and seven countries, attracted 404 visitors, and generated 313 hotel room nights. According to the AJGA’s post-event report, visitors spent an estimated $118,689 during the event, contributing to a total estimated regional economic impact of $314,061.
Since 2022, the tournament has generated more than $1.5 million in cumulative regional economic impact.
Turning Tourism into Economic Opportunity
For Stafford County, attracting visitors is more than promoting places to see and things to do. It is an important part of building a strong, diverse, and sustainable local economy.
When visitors travel to Stafford for tournaments, festivals, conferences, and other events, their spending supports hotels, restaurants, retailers, entertainment venues, and other businesses. This activity supports local jobs and creates opportunities for additional meals, sales, and lodging tax revenue.
Those tax revenues are an important part of Stafford County’s broader efforts to diversify its revenue sources, expand its commercial tax base, and reduce reliance on residential property taxes over time.
While the tournament’s $314,061 estimated economic impact represents regional economic activity rather than direct tax revenue collected by Stafford County, it illustrates the broader value of attracting visitors and encouraging outside spending.
The impact of tourism is substantial across the County. In 2025, visitor spending in Stafford County reached approximately $237.4 million, supporting 2,211 jobs and generating $11.4 million in local tax revenue, according to previously reported tourism economic impact figures.
“Economic development isn’t just about attracting new businesses; it’s also about creating opportunities for our existing businesses to thrive. Tourism plays an important role in that mission by bringing new visitors and spending into our community, supporting local jobs, and generating tax revenue that helps strengthen Stafford County’s economy,” said Liz Barber, director of Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism. “Events like the Tour Stafford Preview demonstrate how strategic partnerships and investments can deliver measurable results while showcasing Stafford as a destination for visitors from across the country and beyond. We’re proud to work alongside the EDA and our community partners to create opportunities that benefit our businesses, residents, and County as a whole.”
These results demonstrate why attracting visitors and promoting Stafford as a destination are important components of the County’s economic development strategy.
Strategic Partnerships That Deliver Results
Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism works to attract new business investment, support existing employers, promote Stafford’s tourism assets, and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
Through its tourism efforts and the Tour Stafford destination brand, the department helps position Stafford County as an appealing location for visitors, events, and recreational experiences.
Supporting events such as the Tour Stafford Preview aligns with this mission by bringing new audiences into the region, encouraging visitor spending, and showcasing Stafford’s amenities and hospitality offerings.
The Stafford County EDA plays a complementary role by supporting strategic initiatives that encourage investment and economic activity.
Its $25,000 contribution to the Tour Stafford Preview reflects a commitment to strengthening Stafford’s visitor economy and supporting opportunities that generate measurable economic benefits.
“Attracting sports tourism events like this is much more than hosting a golf tournament. It’s about creating opportunities for our local businesses, bringing new spending into our community, and supporting a stronger economic future for Stafford County,” said Marlon Wilson, chairman of the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. “The EDA’s investment reflects our commitment to initiatives that deliver measurable economic results and help strengthen the commercial economy that benefits our residents.”
Beyond Economic Impact: Giving Back to the Community
The benefits of the Tour Stafford Preview extend beyond visitor spending and economic growth. The tournament also creates opportunities to give back to the community through charitable contributions that support important local causes.
As part of the 2026 event, the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault (RCASA) and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank each received a $7,726 donation, totaling $15,452 in charitable contributions to organizations serving Stafford County and the surrounding region.
RCASA provides critical support and advocacy for survivors of sexual violence, while the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank works to address food insecurity and provide access to nutritious food for individuals and families in need.
These contributions demonstrate how hosting events like the Tour Stafford Preview can create benefits that reach well beyond the tournament itself. In addition to supporting local businesses and attracting visitors, the event helps strengthen the nonprofit organizations that serve residents and improve quality of life throughout the community.
Together, the tournament’s economic impact and charitable giving highlight the broader value of sports tourism—bringing visitors to Stafford County while making a meaningful difference for the people who call the region home.
Showcasing Stafford to National and International Audiences
Beyond direct visitor spending, the Tour Stafford Preview provided opportunities to introduce Stafford County to new audiences through national tournament exposure and digital promotion.
The AJGA reported more than 639,000 in reach from posts using the #PreTourStafford hashtag on X, 29,571 unique page views through live tournament scoring, and additional engagement across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
This visibility helps strengthen awareness of Stafford County as a destination for recreation, sporting events, and travel.
For many visitors, a tournament may be their first introduction to Stafford. A positive experience can encourage return trips, recommendations to friends and family, and interest in exploring other attractions and businesses throughout the community.
The event also showcased Augustine Golf Club, one of Stafford County’s recreational assets, as a venue capable of hosting competitive junior golf.
The tournament’s 2026 champions were Yasmina Oralkhan, who finished at 2-over-par 215, and Isaac Hayes, who finished at 4-under-par 209.
Building a Stronger Economy for Stafford Residents
Tourism is one part of Stafford County’s larger economic development strategy, which includes attracting new businesses, retaining and expanding existing employers, supporting workforce development, and encouraging commercial investment.
These efforts share a common objective: creating a strong and diversified economy that supports local businesses, generates employment opportunities, and expands the County’s commercial tax base.
When businesses grow and visitors spend money in Stafford, they contribute to the economic activity that supports the community. Over time, a stronger commercial economy can help provide additional revenue sources for public services and infrastructure.
The Tour Stafford Preview illustrates how targeted tourism investments complement these broader economic development goals.
By bringing visitors to the region, supporting hospitality-related spending, and increasing Stafford’s exposure to national audiences, the tournament contributes to the County’s efforts to attract economic activity that extends beyond a single event.
Through continued collaboration among Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism, the EDA, event organizers, and local businesses, Stafford County is working to create more opportunities for visitors to experience the community and for businesses to benefit from that activity.
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About Stafford County Department of Economic Development & Tourism | Stafford EDA
The Stafford County Department of Economic Development & Tourism is the sales and customer service arm for Stafford County, Virginia, committed to advancing expansion and investment for the community. As the official economic development organization of Stafford County, our mission is to promote, solicit and encourage business growth through marketing and media services that enhance economic activity and quality of life within the Stafford region. Stafford County is located halfway between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. In partnership with the Stafford Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Stafford County Department of Economic Development and the EDA has helped finance and support business growth in Stafford since the EDA’s inception in 1970. In addition to business loan programs, in recent years, the EDA has helped develop a number of vacant and underused properties in Stafford. For more information on Stafford’s Economic Development & Tourism and the Stafford EDA, visit www.GoStaffordVA.com and www.StaffordEDA.com, and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or get connected through the monthly business newsletter.