AUSTIN, Texas — Will this be the second-to-last World Golf Championship-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament at the Austin Country Club?
Some at the ACC think so because the contract between the club and the PGA Tour expires after the 2023 event and more than a few of the 650 members don’t want to extend it. No negotiations have begun on contract talks.
“I understand that some don’t like it,” one ACC member said, citing the four weeks the course is shut down for overseeing and tournament preparation. “There’s the inconvenience factor and not just the four weeks but the construction going on. Some of them don’t abide by golf etiquette, and some people lose their minds over it. But I do think they have a chance (to re-up).”
So does Jordan Uppleger, the tournament’s executive director, who said he believes there’s still a solid chance the partnership is renewed sometime this year. Told there were rumors that the Dell tourney might move to the Barton Creek Country Club, Upplegger said, “That’s bull. There’s nothing to it. Our goal is to keep it at Austin Country Club. We’re bound and determined to make it happen. Our stance is that extending it is important, and we’ve not looked at other sites.”
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It’s hard to believe the Tour is not looking for a Plan B, like Barton Creek or the Hills of Lakeway or another city. Uppleger did allow that there’s “a subset of members who don’t like it, but a lot of people do. And they’re not as vocal. It’s fair to say some older members oppose it.”
But he insists the event has made an indelible mark on Austin, including $5 million in charity donations since 2015, honors the legacy of Harvey Penick and offers great entertainment for members and their kids with a growing younger demographic that could overtake the older set.
One member estimated at most half the membership is over the age of 50, the contingent most opposed to the tournament.
“That younger demographic sees the lasting impact it made. I’d add the membership support for this tournament is better than any other tournament on the Tour.”
That said, the PGA Tour would be wise to give each member two tickets with the option to buy more instead of no free tickets. That would buy a lot of goodwill and might grease the chances for another extension. Currently, members have the option of buying eight tickets at $730.69 apiece.
