For the first time in more than 40 years, a PGA TOUR sanctioned event will be returning to the Wilmington area as tour officials announced that the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship will be held at the Eagle Point Golf Club in Porters Neck.
The last PGA TOUR event to be held in Wilmington was the Azalea Open at the Cape Fear Country Club in 1970. Over the years, The Wells Fargo Championship, formerly known as the Wachovia Championship, has become a hot bed for some of golf’s top players and one of golf’s more popular non-major events.
The move to come to the Wilmington area for the Wells Fargo event was made as Quail Hollow serves host to the 2017 PGA Championship. Wells Fargo will also remain title sponsor of the tournament in early Mary through 2019.
“With this extension, Wells Fargo is proud to continue as the title sponsor of the Wells Fargo Championship and ensure that the wonderful benefits the tournament brings to our local communities continue for years to come,” said Jamie Moldafsky, Wells Fargo Chief Marketing Officer. “The Wells Fargo Championship has proven to be one of the PGA Tour’s most popular events, providing a terrific platform to showcase the Wells Fargo brand nationally and an important source of pride and economic benefit for the Carolinas.”
Eagle Point is a Tom Fazio-designed course that opened in 2000 and has been ranked among the Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses six straight years.
“The Wells Fargo Championship has become recognized as a premier tournament and a favorite among the players since it made its debut on the PGA TOUR in 2003,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “We’re obviously extremely pleased to announce Wells Fargo’s new five-year commitment, as well as being able to announce Eagle Point Golf Club as a very worthy site for the 2017 tournament while Quail Hollow prepares for the PGA Championship.”
Since its beginning in 2003, the Wells Fargo Championship has donated more than $16 million to local and regional charities. The tournament was awarded back-to-back “Best in Class” Awards in 2009 and 2010 by the PGA TOUR.
