Copyright Athlon Sports
If you’ve spent any time in the Asheville area, like I have, you know how special this place is. So when the PGA TOUR announced they’re bringing professional golf back here, after 80-plus years, I had to stop and think about what that actually means. The Biltmore Championship arrives in September 2026 as part of the FedExCup Fall series, bringing the world’s best players to the Blue Ridge Mountains. And the timing? It matters. This is about Asheville showing the world it’s still standing, still thriving. Western North Carolina has been through hell and back, and now we get to host something like this. Rising from the Storm The timing here matters — a lot. Just over a year ago, Tropical Storm Helene left historic devastation across the Asheville region, forever changing the landscape and lives of countless residents. The storm’s impact was catastrophic, testing the resolve of a community known for its warmth, creativity, and mountain-strong determination. Yet here we are, celebrating the arrival of a world-class sporting event that will shine an international spotlight on this remarkable area. When they unveiled the Biltmore Championship at a celebratory event held at Biltmore Estate, surrounded by community leaders from across the region, it wasn’t just about golf. It was a declaration. Asheville is back. Western North Carolina is open for business. The recovery efforts have yielded tangible, inspiring results. As Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, noted, this tournament will draw more than 100 players, thousands of spectators, and millions of dollars in direct spending for area businesses, along with hours of live national television coverage showcasing the region’s natural beauty. The Perfect Partnership The four-year agreement bringing together the PGA TOUR, Biltmore Estate, and Explore Asheville as co-title sponsors makes perfect sense. These iconic brands capture the essence of the region. Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home and one of the most visited attractions in the country, has been synonymous with elegance, hospitality, and the Asheville experience for generations. Pairing this legendary name with professional golf creates an irresistible draw for visitors and television audiences alike. Mark Hemphill, chief marketing officer of Biltmore, captured the significance perfectly: “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.” He’s right. PGA TOUR events generate substantial charitable impacts for their host communities each year, and the economic ripple effects extend far beyond tournament week. A Course Worthy of Champions The Cliffs at Walnut Cove will serve as the tournament venue. Located in Arden, just minutes from Asheville Regional Airport and a short drive from downtown Asheville, this Jack Nicklaus-designed masterpiece is ranked among the top courses in North Carolina. The 7,167-yard layout sits in a valley bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway, with 18 holes that wind through former farmland and the streams and woodlands of mountain laurel. Nicklaus himself has said about Walnut Cove, “Areas on this course make you feel as if you are playing through a natural forest.” The front nine crosses open fields that were once farmlands. The back nine threads through cascading streams and native woodlands. It’s golf as it was intended, inextricably part of nature, with that feeling of “aaah” happening on every tee. The course’s natural beauty and championship-caliber design will provide a stunning backdrop for Golf Channel broadcasts and PGA TOUR LIVE coverage on ESPN+. A Historic Return The Biltmore Championship marks the PGA TOUR’s first event in Asheville in more than 80 years. You have to go back to the Asheville Land of the Sky Open to find the last one. That tournament, which became an official PGA TOUR event from 1939 to 1942, featured World Golf Hall of Famer Ben Hogan winning the final three consecutive titles beginning in 1940. The new championship will be the seventh all-time TOUR event in the city, reconnecting Asheville with its rich golf heritage. Tyler Dennis, PGA TOUR chief competitions officer, acknowledged this history: “After more than eight decades since the Asheville Land of the 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.” Looking Ahead When September 17-20, 2026 rolls around, the Biltmore Championship will mean something bigger than four days of tournament golf. It’s about recovery, yes — but also about showing the world what this region has always been: resilient, beautiful, and worth the trip. If you know Asheville, if you’ve spent time in these mountains or seen how this community pulls together when it matters, you understand why this tournament feels significant. It’s a homecoming. And honestly, it’s a fresh start too.
