David Craig, who developed the Craig Ranch community and founded its golf club, said the course at 8000 Collin McKinney Parkway, McKinney, was built with the intention of eventually hosting a major event, such as the AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament.
“This is a dream come true for me. I believe it’s a dream come true for the city of McKinney and Collin County and the region,” Craig said.
A stop on the PGA Tour, the Byron Nelson is a weeklong event with four days of competition designed to celebrate the sport of golf, officials said previously. It was announced that McKinney would be the tournament’s new home April 15, just four weeks after the 2020 AT&T Byron Nelson was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The five-year agreement with course operator ClubCorp will keep the tournament at TPC Craig Ranch from 2021-26, and the competition will continue to be held each May, as per tradition. As a televised event, tournament officials said, the event will bring international attention, as well as visitors and business opportunities, to McKinney.
“In McKinney, we have a simple vision,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller said. “It’s [to] provide a tremendously safe environment to live, a prosperous opportunity to work and a creative place to play. And there’s no better play than what’s exemplified at the Byron Nelson.”
While the Byron Nelson has not conducted an official study since its 2013 tournament, an estimate from 2008 and the 2013 study showed the event’s annual economic impact was just over $40 million, Tournament Director Jon Drago said earlier this year.
Lisa Hermes, president and CEO of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, said the region is excited to come together for the event.
“There’s a sense of cooperation and partnership among our county,” Hermes said. “I think that just plays so well into the values and the organization of the AT&T Byron Nelson.”
Since 1968, the AT&T Byron Nelson has raised $167 million for the Momentous Institute, according to Mike McKinley, president of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the host organization for the tournament. Momentous Institute provides social and emotional health support for children and partners. and it has helped nearly 6,000 children and families in North Texas, McKinley said.
“All the proceeds of the tournament benefit the charities and the programs of the Salesmanship Club, which is operated by the Momentous Institute,” McKinley said.
He said tournament hospitality is already 77% sold, with more than 95% of customers committed to multiyear deals.
“More than 20 Collin County companies have already committed to sponsor the tournament and the Healthcare Highways Pro-Am, which will kick off everything next May,” McKinley said.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to note Lisa Hermes' title is the president and CEO of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.
