Korn Ferry Tour, Visit Knoxville announce extension as title sponsor of Visit Knoxville Open

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The Korn Ferry Tour and Visit Knoxville announced Tuesday an extension for Visit Knoxville to remain the title sponsor of the Visit Knoxville Open through 2030. Additionally, Holston Hills Country Club has agreed to a five-year extension to continue as host of the annual Korn Ferry Tour event.

“We are grateful to continue our partnership with Visit Knoxville and excited to build upon our relationship that began in 2019,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “Holston Hills Country Club has been a terrific host venue for our Tour and has helped prepare our players for the next level. We are appreciative of the hospitality shown by the Knoxville community. We are excited for the future of this historical event with the addition of the Tennessee Golf Foundation as the new host and operator of the Visit Knoxville Open."

The Visit Knoxville Open has been a staple of the Korn Ferry Tour schedule as one of four events to be contested every season since the Tour’s inception in 1990. Visit Knoxville, which joined as the title sponsor in 2019, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company that works with the city of Knoxville and Knox County to further develop Knoxville as a premier destination for visitors.

“We appreciate our partnership with the Korn Ferry Tour and welcome the Tennessee Golf Foundation as the new host organization of this long-standing event,” said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “The Visit Knoxville Open is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our destination through this iconic stop on the Korn Ferry Tour at Holston Hills Country Club.”

Since 2021, Holston Hills Country Club has hosted the Visit Knoxville Open at its Donald Ross-designed course, which has also hosted several state and national events, notably the 2004 USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2007 Tennessee PGA Championship.

The club and golf course will continue to play a key role in identifying, preparing and transitioning the top performers from the Korn Ferry Tour each season that will go on to earn PGA TOUR status at season’s end.

“Holston Hills Country Club is excited to extend our relationship with Visit Knoxville and the Korn Ferry Tour," said Holston Hills Director of Golf Chris Dibble. "We are equally excited to welcome in the Tennessee Golf Foundation with Executive Director Whit Turnbow and his entire team starting in 2026. The success and history of this great Championship has meant a lot to our community for many years, and Holston Hills is proud to have hosted since 2021. We look forward to many more years of great golf and building lasting memories for the patrons and the volunteers.”

Beginning in 2026, the Tennessee Golf Foundation (TGF) will become the new operator and host organization of the Visit Knoxville Open. Founded in 1990, the TGF strives to impact Tennessee youth and the state’s disadvantaged through the game of golf. The TGF also serves as the host organization and operator of the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, a Korn Ferry Tour Finals event hosted in Franklin, Tennessee.

"The Tennessee Golf Foundation is honored to have been selected to host the Visit Knoxville Open. Holston Hills has long been an ardent supporter of golf in our great state, and we look forward to building on our partnership with the Korn Ferry Tour in Big Orange Country,” said Turnbow.

For more information on the Visit Knoxville Open, please visit visitknoxopen.com. For more information on Holston Hills Country Club, please visit holstonhills.com. For more information on the Tennessee Golf Foundation, please visit tngolffoundation.org.