After more than eight decades, professional golf is making its long-awaited return to the mountains of Western North Carolina. In an announcement that stirred both local pride and national intrigue, the PGA Tour revealed the creation of the Biltmore Championship, a new FedEx Cup Fall event set to debut in September 2026 in the scenic city of Asheville, North Carolina. It’s the first PGA Tour event in the region since 1942, and it’s not just a comeback; it’s a resurrection.
A Legendary Venue in the Heart of the Blue Ridge
The Biltmore Estate and Explore Asheville are stepping in as co-title sponsors, having signed a four-year agreement to spotlight not only golf but also the rich cultural and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the tournament slated for September 17–20, 2026, the setting is more than just picturesque; it’s symbolic. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, will serve as the venue. It’s a course that marries the elegance of modern golf design with the rugged terrain of Appalachian heritage, making it an ideal backdrop for a tournament that seeks to blend prestige with tradition.
Ben Hogan’s Historic Streak Lives On
For PGA Tour historians, this return evokes memories of the Land of the Sky Open, a tournament played in Asheville from 1939 to 1942. The legendary Ben Hogan earned his first PGA Tour victory there in 1940 and went on to complete a three-peat. That bit of history isn’t just trivia, it’s legacy. And now, a new chapter begins, with the Biltmore Championship aiming to offer a similar stage for today’s rising stars and tour veterans.
Big Numbers and Bigger Impact for North Carolina
What’s more, the economic and cultural impact is expected to be massive. With over 100 players, thousands of spectators, and national television coverage on the way, local businesses and the tourism sector are poised for a windfall. Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville, emphasized the broader implications, noting the support it provides to hospitality, travel, and local charities —one of the PGA Tour’s most enduring commitments.
North Carolina will now join an elite club of states—California, Texas, and Florida—that host at least three PGA Tour events. Between the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, the Truist Championship near Charlotte, and now the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, the Tar Heel State is becoming a legitimate hub for professional golf.
And it’s not just North Carolina that’s getting reshaped. The entire 2026 fall lineup has been dramatically reimagined. New additions like the Good Good Championship in Texas and tournaments in Utah, Japan, Mexico, Bermuda, and Georgia hint at the Tour’s evolving identity, one that’s increasingly global but still deeply connected to its roots.
In Asheville, those roots run deep. And come 2026, the fairways of the Cliffs at Walnut Cove will echo with a new generation of golfers chasing glory on land once walked by Ben Hogan himself.
