ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — For the first time in more than 80 years, the PGA Tour is making its return to Western North Carolina.
PGA Tour event coming to Western North Carolina in 2026
A little more than a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed many areas in western North Carolina, Jordan Uppleger, vice president of PGA Tour Events, was at Biltmore Estate on Nov. 10 to announce The Biltmore Championship, along with leaders from Explore Asheville and Biltmore Estate, the co-title sponsors.
The tournament, which will be part of the PGA’s FedExCup Fall, will be held Sept. 17-20, 2026, at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
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Uppleger made this statement at the news conference:
After more than eight decades since the Asheville Land of Sky Open, the PGA Tour is pleased to make its return to the Blue Ridge Mountains with The Biltmore Championship in Asheville, a proud name synonymous with the region.
Organizers said this marks a major milestone for Asheville’s sports and tourism community as it serves as the city’s first PGA Tour event since 1942. Organizers said the tournament will be a regular on the PGA Tour for at least the next four years.
“Bringing a world-class golf tournament to the mountains of North Carolina creates an opportunity to make a positive, enduring impact on our community and economy,” Mark Hemphill, chief marketing officer of Biltmore, said.
The announcement comes just a little more than a year after Helene tore through the mountains.
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“The PGA Tour’s Biltmore Championship in Asheville will draw more than 100 players, thousands of spectators, millions of dollars in direct spending for area businesses, and hours of live national television coverage shining a light on the beauty of our region – all to support our creative travel and hospitality community. Importantly, we value the charity impacts that PGA Tour events generate for host communities each year,” said Vic Isley, president/CEO of Explore Asheville and Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is a private facility in Arden and is only a few minutes away from Asheville Regional Airport.
