More than 50,000 people are expected to come to the Boeing Classic golf tournament at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge this coming week.

Whether the fifth annual Classic is the last in Snoqualmie or just the latest in a line extending three more years depends on talks underway between tournament sponsors and the TPC’s owners, Brightstar Golf Group of Carlsbad, Calif.

Negotiations are in play with the PGA Tour, Brightstar and sponsor Virginia Mason Hospital and Medical Center for a three-year renewal of the Classic.

TPC Snoqualmie Ridge was a busy scene last week, as PGA and TPC staff prepare for the event. PGA requirements turns the Ridge course into a much more challenging destination.

“It helps us benchmark each year,” TPC General Manager Ryan Whitney said. “We know we’ve got to get it to a certain level.”

The tournament gives the club a lot of pride and prestige in the Seattle market, and also acts as a big promoter for Snoqualmie and the Ridge.

“It introduces the Valley to a lot of people,” Whitney said. “It gets them to see the beauty and amenities that exist up here. People go ‘Wow, that’s a nice place to live.'”

The Classic was touted at a recent Snoqualmie merchant’s meeting as a possible branding identity for Snoqualmie Ridge.

“It helps to promote the community well beyond our borders,” said Bob Cole, Snoqualmie city economic consultant.

“It raises the profile on a state and national level,” added Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson. The Classic “has the potential to drive a lot of tourists to our area.”

The tournament also provides charitable giving to Valley organizations. Larson said that last year’s Boeing Classic funneled more than $20,000 to area agencies such as Encompass.

“While this is going to be a tough year economically, they will do nothing but grow,” he said.

“I can’t help but think of only positive impacts,” said Matt Campbell, golf pro at Mount Si Golf Course. “I’ve lived and worked in the Snoqualmie Valley for the last 25 years, and have seen the growth first hand. Events such as the Boeing Classic contribute to this growth.”

People come from across the globe to watch legends play in person on the Ridge.

“They tune in or come out to watch the best senior golfers on the planet play the game and fall in love with not only them but the Snoqualmie Valley,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t get much prettier than the Snoqualmie Valley on a bluebird day. That secret is not much of a secret anymore.

“I hope we continue to keep PGA Tour events in the Pacific Northwest,” he added.

The Boeing Classic is the only continuous PGA event in Washington state.

To really capitalize on the event, Whitney, Larson and others say Snoqualmie needs more services, such as restaurants and lodging.

“It would be great if there were more hotels here,” Whitney said.