Consider and take appropriate action on a request from the Visit Austin for the County to act as the Endorsing County for and to appoint the Austin Sports Commission as its exclusive designee and Local Organizing Committee for an application to participate in the Texas Events Trust Fund with respect to the 2026 Good Good Golf Championship to be held at the grounds and facilities of the Omni Barton
Staff Report & Agenda Item Details
On May 21, 2026 the Austin Sports Commission requested Travis County’s consideration to be the endorsing entity for the Good Good Golf Championship event to be held at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, Fazio Canyons Course on November 9-15, 2026 in Travis County. Being the endorsing entity allows Austin Sports Commission to apply for the Office of the Governor’s Events Trust Program which assists in paying for authorized costs to hold the event. As part of the State’s economic development and tourism initiatives, the State of Texas established the Event Trust Fund (Program) to attract major events to Texas. The Program consists of 1) the Events Trust Fund, 2) Major Events Reimbursement Program (MERP) and 3) Motor Sports Racing Trust Fund (MSRTF). The Program permits local governments and local organizing committees to apply to the State for the establishment of an event trust fund in which to deposit certain taxes to help pay for certain eligible costs associated with conducting events if all statutory and administrative requirements are met under Texas Government Code Chapters 478, 479, or Chapter 480. The trust funds are outside the operating budget of the State. The Texas Legislature has made hundreds of millions of dollars available via the Program throughout the State to incentivize tourism.<br><br data-pasted="true"><u>Details About the Request</u><br><u> </u><br>PGA, the site selection organization for the Good Good Golf Championship has chosen Travis County as the location for 2026 Good Good Golf Championship to be held at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, located in unincorporated Travis County to be held November 9-15, 2026. This event qualifies for the Texas Events Trust Fund Program (ETF), pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 480 (the “Act”) and under the related rules, found at 10 Tex. Admin. Code, Part 5, Chapter 184 (the “Rules”).<br>Austin Sports Commission requests that the County approve the request regarding the Event and take such other action necessary or advisable for the County to (1) act as "endorsing county" for the Event and (2) appoint Austin Sports Commission as the County's sole and exclusive designee and agent (and "local organizing committee"), for purposes of preparing, submitting, and processing any and all requests and applications to the Economic Development and Tourism Division, Office of the Governor, as appropriate, and for the preparation, submittal and processing of any and all economic impact studies, other documentation and contribution of the local incremental funds necessary or advisable to qualify for and participate in the ETF with respect to the Event. The attached three-party agreement between Travis County, PGA, and the Austin Sports Commission has been drafted and outlines responsibilities for each entity. Approval of this item allows the Austin Sports Commission and PGA to meet deadlines set by the state to apply for the program.