McKinney, Tx. - "The AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament will return to McKinney this year, this time at full capacity.
Tournament officials announced in a February news release that the tournament will be at TPC Craig Ranch from May 9-15. General admission tickets are on sale through the tournament website.
McKinney first hosted the tournament in 2021 with a daily attendance capacity of 10,000 people due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic.
Previously hosted in Dallas, the AT&T Byron Nelson is an annual tournament on the PGA tour that benefits the Momentous Institute, a Dallas-based nonprofit that builds the social and emotional health of children.
Last year, even with the attendance restrictions, the tournament raised $5.5 million. Clay Duvall, AT&T Byron Nelson tournament chair, said he hopes to build on that this year.
“We're able to have 45 more private hospitality venues, which we've sold out of,” Duvall said. “We will sell out the tournament at some point, but we're hoping that with the increased capacity and increased venues that we're going to be able to raise some more money for Momentous Institute.”
This year’s tournament will come with a new fundraising initiative called Birdies for Mental Health, which is modeled after the PGA’s Birdies for Charity program.
“This new program will provide the ability for fans all over the state to engage with our tournament and this commitment by making a pledge for each birdie made during the AT&T Byron Nelson, of which there were 2,007 birdies total last year,” Duvall said. “So if you pledged 10 cents, and there were 2,000 birdies, you would donate $200 to Momentous Institute.”
Duvall added that the timing of the tournament aligned with National Mental Health Awareness Month in May. People may submit birdie pledges through May 11.
Daily general admission tickets, which are $75, provide access to what Duvall calls “fan entertainment areas.” The Bunker, sponsored by Garrison Brothers Distillery, will be at the No. 9 green. Tito’s Stillhouse will be near the No. 18 green, the Cadillac Club will be near the No. 10 green; and Meiomi Wine will have a venue near the No. 14 green.
The pro am will be held May 11, which is free to attend. Country music star Lee Brice will perform May 14. Concert tickets will go on sale March 1 for $50 and must be purchased separately from tournament tickets.
Mayor George Fuller announced in November that the city was in discussions with tournament officials to extend the tournament’s stay in McKinney through 2030. Duvall said nothing has been finalized yet, but they are still discussing.
“Seeing the way that the city and fans in the area responded to TPC Craig Ranch last year with limited attendance was fantastic,” Duvall said. “I'm really excited to build upon that and bring in full attendance and have all of our great fans from the North Texas area and city of McKinney come out and support the Byron Nelson and watch some great championship golf.”
Brooklyn Cooper | Community Impact News
Photo | Mark Humphries
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