The Ascendant presented by Blue named 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Tournament of the Year

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Following the annual PGA TOUR Tournament Meetings, which took place at La Quinta Resort & Club, the Korn Ferry Tour announced the winners of seven awards including the Tournament of the Year, Charity of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Best Special Event, Most Improved, Truck Award and Sales Award.

For the second time in its five-year existence, The Ascendant presented by Blue earned the prestigious Tournament of the Year Award.

“On behalf of the Korn Ferry Tour, we are excited to congratulate The Ascendant presented by Blue on being named the 2023 Tournament of the Year,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “Earning the award twice in the past three seasons is a testament to the outstanding work of tournament director Drew Blass and the entire staff and ownership at TPC Colorado, as well as the great partnerships built with Cypress Ascendant Services and Blue Federal Credit Union. This event has quickly become one of the favorite stops on the Korn Ferry Tour each season amongst membership, fans and staff, and we are thrilled to return to Berthoud next July.”

The Ascendant presented by Blue is played annually in Berthoud, Colorado, at TPC Colorado. The tournament, which was also named the 2021 Tournament of the Year, was honored with recognition due to its excellence in hosting a premier event across various fronts, including:

• First-class experience for players, caddies, volunteers, fans and staff throughout tournament week
• Providing dining for players and caddies that is widely regarded as one of the best on the Tour
• Tremendous player amenities, including an on-site fitness center and private housing in the Berthoud community
• Continuous improvement in on-site presentation and one of the largest fan-experience buildouts on the Korn Ferry Tour, with each structure uniquely utilizing the ability to view multiple holes at any given time for spectators
• Launching a new Junior Pro-Am that garnered great reviews from players and participants
• Dependable volunteers and designated volunteer chairmen who are consistently well-trained and prepared for competition days
• A clean look and feel on social media and an openness to collaborate with the Korn Ferry Tour channels to increase the reach in the local market

In addition to announcing the Tournament of the Year Award, the Korn Ferry Tour also recognized the winner of Charity of the Year, which went to EPIC for Girls, a beneficiary of the Pinnacle Bank Championship.

EPIC for Girls (Equal Play Inspiring Confidence) is an organization that aims to advocate for girls of color to address the inequities in sports. EPIC for Girls is a relatively young organization, with its inception in 2020, and the Pinnacle Bank Championship is excited to support and become more involved with EPIC for Girls throughout their continued participation with the tournament. EPIC for Girls was extremely ambitious at the event this year, recruiting nearly 100 unique volunteers to staff various hospitality bars and concessions throughout tournament week. The enthusiasm, excitement and positivity displayed by each volunteer involved with EPIC for Girls played a key role in the overall enjoyment by all fans, staff and other volunteers at the Pinnacle Bank Championship.

Below is the full list of this year’s Tournament Award recipients on the Korn Ferry Tour:

Tournament of the Year: The Ascendant presented by Blue

Charity of the Year: Pinnacle Bank Championship

Volunteer of the Year: UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH

Best Special Event: Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club

Most Improved: LECOM Suncoast Classic

Truck Award: The Ascendant presented by Blue

Sales Award: Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation