The Cliffs at Walnut Cove will bring Asheville’s golf legacy full circle as the PGA TOUR returns to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On Sept. 17-20, the private Jack Nicklaus-designed course will welcome world-class talent to Western North Carolina for the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, writing a new chapter in its golf story that began over 80 years ago with legend Ben Hogan.
Ben Hogan Revitalized Career in Asheville
In 1940, Hogan, one of the most revered figures in golf history, was on the verge of quitting the sport after years without a PGA win. But a swing through North Carolina changed everything, and Asheville played a starring role.
Hogan found his rhythm at Pinehurst and Greensboro before heading to the mountains for the Land of the Sky Open, a PGA winter tour staple held in Asheville between 1933 and 1951. The tournament unfolded across three local courses—Asheville Country Club (now Grove Park Inn), Beaver Lake Golf Course (now Country Club of Asheville), and Biltmore Forest Country Club—and drew a who’s who of the sport’s elite.
Armed with a new driver and newfound confidence, Hogan stormed through the snow-delayed 1940 tournament with a trio of sizzling rounds and clinched his third victory in ten days. The spark led to 64 PGA TOUR wins and a career that put him on the Mount Rushmore of golf greats.
He’d win the Land of the Sky Open again in 1941 and 1942, solidifying Asheville’s role in his legendary rise.
Skyview Golf Tournament: A Legacy of Inclusion and Excellence
Asheville’s golf legacy isn’t just about beautiful fairways and PGA milestones; it’s also about breaking barriers.
Since 1960, the annual Skyview Golf Tournament at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course has been one of the country’s most enduring and historically significant Black-owned golf events. Born in an era when many Black golfers were excluded from professional play, Skyview became a rare and vital platform for athletes of color to compete, connect, and shine.
Over the decades, Skyview has drawn top-tier talent, including Charlie Sifford, the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card, and Lee Elder, the first Black player in the Masters. Even Earl Woods, father of Tiger Woods, teed off here.
Today, Skyview continues to attract professionals and amateurs from across the country, celebrating the sport and the trailblazers who helped diversify it. The Donald Ross–designed course adds a layer of historic charm to one of North Carolina’s oldest public courses, and it's still proudly open to all.
A visit to the Asheville Municipal Golf Course means stepping into a living chapter of golf history—one that helped pave the way for the PGA TOUR event returning to Asheville this September.
Golf Returns to the Mountains: Walnut Cove Welcomes the PGA TOUR
Now, the spotlight returns. This fall’s PGA TOUR event at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove promises high drama and high elevation as pros take on one of the most visually striking courses on the tour. Expect:
- Four days of competitive play from some of the PGA’s best
- Sweeping mountain scenery surrounds every fairway and green
- Locally inspired hospitality, from craft beer to chef-driven fare
- A rare chance to experience a private course, open to the public for this special event
Set just south of Asheville in the scenic Arden area, Walnut Cove’s manicured greens, natural creeks, and forested backdrop make it a test of skill and a feast for the senses. The Biltmore Championship in Asheville will be broadcast on Golf Channel and three properties produced from PGA TOUR Studios: PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+, Sirius XM and the World Feed.
Beyond the Scorecard: Discover Asheville
Whether you’re here for the birdies or the breweries, make the most of your PGA weekend with some signature Asheville experiences:
- Tee off on a local favorite, like the historic Asheville Municipal Golf Course or Reems Creek in nearby Weaverville. Here’s your interactive map of golf courses in the Asheville area, including both public and private courses.
- Unwind in town, where galleries, rooftop bars, and live music venues fill the evenings with Appalachian soul.
- Explore the outdoors, from a Blue Ridge Parkway drive to a mountaintop picnic with a view.