PGA Tour drops 80-year venue, calls it 'insult

Colonial Country Club, home of the longest-running non-major event on the PGA Tour schedule, is furious over reports that the Tour plans to drop the venue after an 80-year partnership.

Representatives of the iconic Fort Worth course — known as “Hogan’s Alley” for Ben Hogan’s five victories there — have called the potential 2028 omission a direct insult.

“An insult” is the term one source used to describe how club leadership views the prospect of being demoted after eight decades of commitment to the Tour.

The Charles Schwab Challenge has been a fixture on the PGA Tour since 1946.

That makes it the longest-running non-major event on the entire circuit.

But under CEO Brian Rolapp’s restructuring plan, the Tour is splitting its schedule into two tiers starting in 2028.

The top tier is the Championship Series, featuring leading players and minimum purses of $20 million.

The second tier is the Challenger Series, a step down in prestige, prize money and player participation.

According to an exclusive Golfweek report, multiple sources believe Colonial and title sponsor Charles Schwab are unlikely to secure a place in the Championship Series.

The tournament could instead be offered a spot in the Challenger Series.

Colonial reportedly has little interest in accepting that option.

One source told Golfweek that club leadership considers the prospect of such a downgrade after 80 years of loyalty “an insult.”

Colonial and Schwab officials remain hopeful of securing a Championship Series position.

But they are frustrated by what they see as a lack of recognition for their longstanding support.

Schwab’s sponsorship investment is said to exceed that of most other companies associated with the Tour.

The financial services firm is also an official PGA Tour marketing partner.

Schwab sponsors tournaments on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, as well as the senior circuit’s season-long points race.

Two factors appear to be working against the Fort Worth venue.

The first is competition within the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Sources told Golfweek that the PGA Tour wants only one tournament from the region in its Championship Series.

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson reportedly has the advantage after title sponsor CJ made a stronger financial offer.

Colonial also has limited room to expand its facilities.

This makes it difficult to meet the infrastructure and commercial expectations of the Tour’s premier events.

Four Championship Series positions remain undecided, with bids having closed on Sept. 30.

No decision has been made yet — an announcement will come at a later date.

If the reported demotion becomes official, Colonial is expected to reject the Challenger Series.

Instead, the club is exploring a move to PGA Tour Champions.

Golfweek reports that Colonial is considering an arrangement to host the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, PGA Tour Champions’ season-ending playoff event.

The proposal would build on Schwab’s existing relationship with the senior tour.

The company has sponsored the finale since 2003.

The Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs consist of three events that determine the winner of the season-long title.

The top 36 players in the standings following the Simmons Bank Championship advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

The player with the most cumulative points captures the Charles Schwab Cup and a share of a multimillion-dollar bonus pool.

The playoff finale has been contested at Phoenix Country Club since 2017.

Papago Golf Club was named as the temporary host for 2027 while Phoenix Country Club undergoes a renovation.

According to a source, the Schwab Cup is set to return to Phoenix in 2028, after which the contract will expire.

That could create an opening for Colonial.