The Triangle’s premier professional golf tournament draws thousands of fans to Raleigh
RALEIGH, N.C. – The UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH returns to Raleigh this week, drawing 156 professional golfers and thousands of fans.
The key stop on the Korn Ferry Tour will run from May 29 to June 1 at Raleigh Country Club. More than 700 volunteers help ensure the tournament is a success. The tournament, previously known as the Rex Hospital Open, unveiled its current name and moved to Raleigh Country Club in 2023.
Multiple pro golfers with North Carolina connections are scheduled to compete this year, including:
- Chesson Hadley, a Raleigh native and PGA player who is returning to play in this year’s UNC Health Championship. Hadley won the 2013 Rex Hospital Open and is excited to play at home again.
- Pontus Nyholm, a native of Sweden who played golf at Campbell University before turning pro in 2021. Nyholm won the Visit Knoxville Open this past weekend, with an eagle on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to capture his first career Korn Ferry Tour victory.
- Carter Jenkins, a Raleigh native who played golf at UNC-Chapel Hill, and finished tied for fourth at last year’s UNC Health Championship.
- Ryan Blaum, a Durham resident and Duke University alumnus.
For fans and families, some of the attractions at this year’s UNC Health Championship will include:
- Free parking and shuttle to course
- Kids 15 and under free with ticketed adult
- Local food from Two Roosters, The Slush and Empire Eats restaurants
- Half-price tickets on Thursday, May 29
- Collegiate Friday, May 30: free admission with College ID, discounted drinks and food
- Service Appreciation Day on Sunday, June 1: free admission for Military and First Responders
In remembrance of Raleigh native Grayson Murray, a past champion on the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, the Murray Family and UNC Health Championship will hold an honorary tee time on Sunday, June 1 at 1 p.m. at the tee box on hole No. 1.
Proceeds from this year’s UNC Health Championship will support development of North Carolina Children’s. This new enterprise will include the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital. UNC Health recently announced it would partner with Duke Health on the project, which is expected to open in the early 2030s.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will also support the Poe Center for Health Education, First Tee of the Triangle, SE Raleigh Promise, Alliance Medical Ministry, Wake County Boys and Girls Club, the Grayson Murray Foundation and the USO.
In March, UNC Health and the Korn Ferry Tour announced a two-year extension for UNC Health to remain the title sponsor of the UNC Health Championship through 2027.
“UNC Health is proud to continue serving as the title sponsor for one of our state’s most exciting sports and charity events,” said Dr. Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health. “Our partnership with the Korn Ferry Tour has been a huge success and helps further our mission of improving the health and wellbeing of all North Carolinians.”
The UNC Health Championship’s presenting sponsor is Apex-based STITCH Golf, a premium brand that makes golf bags, luggage, head covers, accessories and apparel.
Raleigh Country Club will continue as the tournament host venue. The historic course has quickly become a favorite stop on the Korn Ferry Tour schedule and one of the toughest tests players face all season. Designed by renowned architect Donald Ross and operated by McConnell Golf, the course offers expansive views and unobstructed access, creating an excellent fan experience.
Spectator seating areas include bleachers on holes Nos. 6, 16 and the Hurricanes Bench on 18. The #17 Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge is also open to the public. There will be concessions from local Empire Eats restaurants, including The Pit, Gravy, Raleigh Times, Mecca and Sitti. Two Roosters Ice Cream and The Slush frozen drinks will serve refreshing options on course.
For more information on the 2025 UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH, including details on how to volunteer and reserve tickets, visit unchealthchampionship.com.
ABOUT THE UNC HEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Professional golfers from around the world travel to renowned Raleigh Country Club to participate in the Korn Ferry Tour’s UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH. The tournament’s charitable efforts, coupled with its family and fan-friendly environment, attract thousands of golf fans each spring. During the past three decades, charity golf has raised more than $10 million for patients, programs and services at UNC Health. For more information, including details on how to volunteer and reserve tickets, visit unchealthchampionship.com/.
ABOUT THE KORN FERRY TOUR
Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour identifies and develops golf’s next stars, preparing them to compete and win on the game’s biggest stage. The Korn Ferry Tour, which has served as a path to the PGA TOUR since its inception, annually awards 20 PGA TOUR cards based off its points list, with the No. 1 player earning exemptions into the following year’s PLAYERS Championship and U.S. Open. With more than 650 PGA TOUR titles, 32 major championships and eight FedExCup champions, Korn Ferry Tour alumni make up 82 percent of the PGA TOUR’s current membership. To learn more about the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour and to follow the season-long quest for PGA TOUR cards, visit PGATOUR.COM or follow the Korn Ferry Tour on social media. Ten Korn Ferry Tour events in 2025 are televised on Golf Channel in the United States, with tournament coverage available internationally in more than 170 countries and territories via 23 media partners.