Swinging for Glory: DFW’s Byron Nelson and Charles Schwab Showdown

May is an exhilarating month for golfers and golf fans in the DFW metroplex with the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at the TPC Craig Ranch at the first of May this year and the upcoming 78th Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth this May 23rd to 26th. 

DFW is fortunate indeed to have 2 PGA Tours in one month every May. Whether you attend PGA Golf Tours to park yourself on the most difficult hole all day, follow your favorite player, or like to float around all 18 holes, or 72 holes for 4 days, May in DFW gives you plenty of opportunity. 

We will see how we can thoroughly enjoy the Charles Schwab Challenge and recap some highlights of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, held on May 2nd to May 6th this year. 

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The Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Country Club, Ft. Worth

The Colonial Country Club (CC) began its journey in 1936 as the Colonial Club. When an electrical fire destroyed its kitchen in 1943, the member-owned club had to repurpose an old school house because construction materials were scarce during WWII. When it burned again in 1953, the original Colonial House fell to ashes. 

Even so, Colonial Club Members set up a tent and hosted a PGA Tour one month away that year and their weekly Sunday brunches. Ben Hogan won that tournament. Ben Hogan was born in Stephenville, Texas, but the Colonial Club called him a “hometown hero”. Ben was a rising star of the links and other golf courses by 1949. The doors finally opened again in 1955 with Colonial CC’s iconic red brick building that stands today.

Tournament Attendees

Approximately 15,000 golf fans attend the Charles Schwab Challenge in Ft. Worth per day of the tournament each year. Attendees can experience premier hospitality services in several ways. The Charles Schwab Challenge offers private hospitality venues in private and shared suites, with in-suite entertainment decks, full-serve bars, and chef inspired menus to daily and multi-day grounds tickets with access to 18 holes.

PGA Tours are swung in the stroke play style, consisting of 72 holes in 4 rounds, a cut after the first 2 rounds, and the winner is the golfer who swings the least strokes. This year’s purse is at $9,100,000. As of this writing, the field list is 132 golfers from 11 countries. 

All the daily fantasy sports (DFS) golf pros  are posting their winning pics, and they hit the sports news beginning the third week of May. The PGA Tour Leaderboard lists the top golfers for the 2024 Challenge with their owgr ranks. The betting odds are all over online platforms. 

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What To Expect at the Charles Schwab Challenge:

PGA Tour Fan Attractions:

• You are welcome to arrive early and stay late. Gates open at 6:30 a.m.
• Find out when your favorite player tees off on the PGA Tour and Colonial CC websites. 
• There is a Player Autograph Area behind the 18th green. You never know who might make an appearance!
• The 5 Schwab Performance Center: Fan Shop PGA professionals will analyze your swing. Purchase tournament merchandise, gifts, and souvenirs. Practice with one of Ben Hogan’s putters, and more.
• The tournament will award this year’s champion the ultimate 1975 Stingray.
• Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center—Fort Worth is providing sunscreen stations.
• See the latest Cadillac vehicle models leading to viewing decks at Holes 9, 13, and 17. These venues are open to the public with food and drinks available for purchase. 

Bag Policy:

Arrive early to get through security check points quickly. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. Lines can slow down with last minute arrivals. Arriving early ensures that patrons have plenty of time to get in and find their seats.

Colonial CC Bag Policy:

Only opaque bags measuring 4.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches long or smaller will be permitted after proper search. Everything else must be easily visible within a clear plastic bag upon entering the security line.

PGA Tour Bag Policy:

• No bags larger than 6 inches by 6 inches, including carrying cases, backpacks, camera bags, or chair bags are permitted through the gates. No clear, plastic, vinyl, or other carry items larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches are permitted through the gates. 
• A Check Stand, located at every golf course entrance, is available for patrons to leave their items in a safe location while enjoying the tournament.

Cell Phone Policy:

• You must silence your mobile phone, Blackberry, or PDA at all times.
• Taking or making calls is only permitted in designated cell phone zones, at marked concession areas, or indoors–Away From Play.
• Mobile devices are permitted for picture taking or video for personal purposes only, No commercial use, and as long as it does not disrupt play.
• Violation of this policy may result in confiscation of mobile device, or your removal from the tournament.

Ticket Info:

• Buy and manage tickets online at the Colonial CC website.
• Visit any Tom Thumb or Albertson’s within the DFW Metroplex (began April 2020).
• Kids 15 and younger may attend for free with any adult who has a ticket.  Not applicable for premium hospitality areas.
• Leave or pick up tickets at will call.
• All Active, Reserve, and Retired Military personnel may receive up to 4 free tournament tickets.
• For ticket support email: rbarber@colonialfw.co
• Additional support began May 13, 2024
• Phone: 903.289.6892

Parking:

Silver Parking: 

• Wed, $50/day, Thu-Sun, $75/day, Wed-Sun, $350
• Park in TCU’s Worth Hills 6-Level Parking Garage-First come, first served. Take a shuttle to Colonial’s Clubhouse and back.
• 3571 Bellaire Drive North, Ft. Worth, Texas.
• Cadillac Parking: Cadillac vehicles with Silver Parking credentials can access the 40 reserved spaces on the first level of TCU’s Worth Hills 6-Level Parking Garage with shuttle service to and from the Clubhouse.
• 3571 Bellaire Drive North, Ft. Worth, Texas.

Gold Parking: 

• $150/day, $750 Wed-Sun. 
• Must be picked up at Will Call. 
• Valet park your car at the Clubhouse. Pick up your ride at the end of your day at the Clubhouse’s front door.
• 3735 Country Club Cir, Fort Worth, Texas

Public Parking: 

• $25/day plus tax, Thu-Sun.
• No cash accepted at the lot.
• Includes round trip shuttle to Colonial CC at Hole #4 entrance.
• 1522 Rockwood Lane, Fort Worth, Texas. 

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2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson TPC Craig Ranch Winners

Taylor Pendrith stepped onto the 18th green with one shot trailing in the 4th round. And, Pendrith won his first PGA Tour tournament with a $1.71 million award. Ben Kohles carded 2 birdies in a row on Holes 16 and 17. He had a 1-shot lead into his 72nd hole. Kohles made the one bogey of the day on the par-5 18th hole.

Kohles gave Pendrith his chance at that point, and Pendrith hit in the winning birdie and finished at 23 under. Kohles took home a consolation prize of $1.03 million. Pendrith is 1 of 5 first-time PGA Tour winners this 2024 PGA season. Pendrith reported that it was super special for his name to be on his Byron Nelson trophy because Byron Nelson is a special name in golf.