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Andrew Putnam of the United States reacts on the 15th green during the final round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 29.
organizers of the Rocket Classic announced that Mark Hollis–former athletic director at Michigan State University and current radio host at WJ–will serve as the tournament director for the 2026 edition of the event.
Hollis isn’t just a name; he brings decades of administrative, media, and collegiate-sports leadership, giving the Rocket Classic a new face of stability and vision. He acknowledged the commitment required of Detroit Golf Club members and the broader community when hosting a PGA Tour event, framing it as “giving your backyard up” and stressing that the tournament must deliver value not only for Rocket but for “the neighborhood,” corporate partners, and fans.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the Rocket Classic’s future, including speculation that 2026 could be its final playing under the current PGA Tour schedule, Hollis’ appointment arrives at a critical moment, making his leadership more than ceremonial.
Rocket Classic’s Uncertain Future
Launched in 2019, the Rocket Classic quickly became a rare hard-charged PGA Tour stop inside a major U.S. city’s limits–specifically Detroit. Held at Detroit Golf Club, it stood out for combining big-time golf with urban-community energy.
Yet the event has faced headwinds: scheduling volatility across the Tour, shifting sponsorship climates, and questions about long-term viability. Under those conditions, the announcement of a new tournament director can be interpreted as not just a fresh start, but a lifeline. Hollis’ background in sports administration and local media gives credibility to the idea the Rocket Classic may be poised for a reimagined 2026 edition, potentially with adaptive strategies to strengthen community support, corporate partnerships, and fan engagement.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Hollis himself underscored a key point: hosting a PGA Tour event is disruptive for club members, local residents, and the community. “It’s like if you had a backyard party and the neighborhood was back there all summer, it has to be good for you to give your backyard up. That’s what they do. It has to be good for the community.” he said.
Thus, 2026 likely won’t be business-as-usual. Expect increased attention to community relations: traffic, noise, local business involvement, and member accommodations. Corporate sponsors (nearly 200 reportedly involved) will be under pressure to see value.
With Hollis’ radio and media background, the 2026 Rocket Classic could lean into stronger local broadcasting, community outreach, and fan-focused activation. That might mean more accessible coverage, outreach to Detroit’s wider population, and perhaps even efforts to make the tournament feel less like a closed club event and more like a citywide sporting festival.
Given past efforts to integrate local college players–such as sponsor exemptions for newcomers from Michigan-area schools–there could also be renewed pushes to highlight local and regional golf talent, making the Rocket feel more inclusive and community-oriented.
New Timing, New Stakes
In a major update that could reshape who shows up in Detroit next summer, the Rocket Classic will shift on the PGA Tour calendar in 2026–moving from its usual late-June slot to July 30-August 2. This timing places the tournament roughly two weeks after The Open Championship, meaning players will have just returned from a major before heading to Detroit.
This could have real consequences for the field. On one hand, the later date might discourage some golfers who opt to rest after The Open or prepare for other late-summer tournaments. On the other, it could attract players looking to stay hot or build momentum. The shift also gives the host Detroit Golf Club more time to finalize course preparations after its recently completed $16.1 million renovation, potentially improving conditions and appeal.
What This Means for the PGA Tour, Sponsors, and Fans
For the broader PGA Tour ecosystem, the future of city-based tournaments like the Rocket Classic remains a litmus test. Big-market events, especially in nontraditional golf hubs, are seen as necessary to diversify the Tour’s footprint.
For fans, the takeaway is cautiously hopeful. The change in leadership suggests the tournament isn’t just being written off–rather, there may be a renewed push to keep it relevant, accessible, and vibrant. Detroit fans, especially longtime locals, could see more inclusive programming, improved communication, and perhaps a version of the Rocket Classic that better reflects their city.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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