The LaGrange College baseball team wasn’t the only big winner at last week’s USA South Championships.

The Panthers won the tournament for the second year in a row, earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III baseball championship. It was great to see the host team win that tournament again, and we’re sure being at home likely played a role.

LaGrange as a whole was a big winner as well. Everyone we talked to during the tournament enjoyed their time here. Even though this is the second straight year the tournament has taken place in LaGrange, a lot has changed in a short time.

Visitors had the option to stay at the new hotel downtown and could visit Wild Leap Brew Co. after a long day in the sun. Many visitors we talked to had gone to both.  They also likely heard a lot about Great Wolf Lodge, which is set to open next month. We’re sure some of the 3,500 visitors that were in LaGrange this weekend will visit again — outside of USA South sports — in the future.

Hosting the tournament has so many advantages for the city.

Most of the teams stayed in Troup County, although some didn’t book early enough and had to stay as far away as Alabama.

Hotels in the City of LaGrange were booked most of last week.

Visitors likely ate several meals out and likely ventured into stores to pass time as well.

Hosting the USA South Championships not only served as a reminder of LaGrange and Troup County’s top-notch sports facilities, but it also gave visitors a chance to see everything else the city has to offer as well.