The PGA has announced an extension of its Veritex Bank Championship in Arlington. The stop on the developmental Korn Ferry Tour is scheduled from April 21-27, 2025.
The event has been played at Texas Rangers Golf Club, a public course west of Collins and between Brown and Green Oaks in North Arlington.
"There's no better place to have this tournament than here in the Entertainment District in the sporting capital of the world," says Mayor Jim Ross. "Where else do you get the Cowboys, the Rangers, soccer, golf and women's basketball? You get it all right here in Arlington."
Ross says the event gives the PGA a course where the organization's future stars can hone their craft but also draws another type of sports fan to Arlington.
"Every time we have something like this, the city benefits from it," he says. "People keep saying, 'Why are you putting more money into the Entertainment District?' 'Why are you building a golf course?' Because if you build it, they will come. When they come, they put their heads in beds and spend money in our hotels. Then they go to our restaurants, and they spend money there. Then they go to our retail stores, and they spend money there."
When announcing the extension, Caleb Hicks, a UT Arlington graduate and Korn Ferry Tour participant, hit a shot from the first tee.
"I'm happy to have the tournament here," he says. "I've been playing here since before it was Texas Rangers Golf Club. Now, to be able to play here when I'm a pro golfer is pretty special."
The City of Arlington partnered with the Texas Rangers on the brand name of the club in 2019 when launching a $24 million renovation.
"In Arlington, as we say, 'We can, we do, we did,'" says Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Michael Jacobson.
The PGA says Arlington residents can receive a free general admission ticket. Tournament Director Richie Sapp says the Veritex Bank Championship is also developing a youth mentorship program.
"The folks who are coming to play Texas Rangers [Golf Club] in April are world class athletes. They're world class people, and we want to be able to share their inspiring stories with everyone in Arlington," he says.
Sapp says Scottie Scheffler, winner of the 2024 Masters and currently ranked top golfer in the world, started his career with the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019.
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