PGA TOUR Returns to Palmetto State for The CJ Cup
Columbia, SC — As golf is surging in popularity around the USA, state and industry leaders are pleased to welcome the PGA TOUR to Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C. for the CJ Cup the week of October 17-23.
This will be the tournament’s first Southeast appearance after launching in Korea in 2017 and spending the last two years in Las Vegas. The CJ Cup will be the second TOUR event ever hosted at the esteemed Congaree Golf Club following the Palmetto Championship.
“Last year we made the strategic decision to host the historic Palmetto Championship at Congaree, and the regional economy and statewide golf industry benefited tremendously,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “This year we have another unique opportunity to show viewers around the world what makes South Carolina special, and we look forward to doing that by partnering with the CJ Group, the PGA TOUR, and Congaree this October.”
2021 was a banner year for the state’s robust golf industry. In addition to hosting the Palmetto Championship that replaced the canceled Canadian Open, South Carolina also hosted the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, the annual RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island, the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX in Greenville, and the Myrtle Beach World Handicap Amateur Championship.
According to the latest data available, the Palmetto State is currently leading the nation in year-to-date growth in golf rounds.
“In 2021, golf had a $3.3 billion impact on the state,” said S.C. Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism(SCPRT) Director Duane Parish. “In South Carolina, fall is just a cooler kind of summer, making October a fantastic time to host this tournament and showcase our state.
Golfers can tee off year-round on our more than 300 courses from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, making golf a critical component of our robust tourism industry. We’re thrilled to welcome the PGA Tour back to Congaree, and we look forward to sharing the course’s low country beauty, ancient oaks, and challenging sandy expanses with the viewing public.”
While the CJ Group is the title sponsor of the tournament, South Carolina will serve as the tournament’s presenting sponsor thanks to the $5 million lawmakers added to SCPRT’s 2023 budget for this purpose, The investment is expected to yield a nearly $54 million media value, with 32 Discover South Carolina ad spots playing throughout the broadcast, and have an estimated $80 million economic impact on the region. The tournament will spotlight the state as a travel destination and the Congaree Foundation’s commitment to giving back through the game of golf.
Designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio and ranked # 39 in Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Congaree is a unique course with a philanthropic mission at its heart. Driven by the vision of founders Dan Friedkin and the late Bob McNair, the club works to positively impact the lives of young people through golf. The Club’s Ambassadors and the Congaree Foundation provide resources for educational, mentorship, and vocational opportunities to underserved and ambitious youth locally through a shared passion for the game. For more information visit www.CongareeGC.com.
Tickets, volunteer opportunities, and additional tournament informaton regarding the CJ Cup event, please visit PGATOUR.com.
