Professional golf returned to central Virginia with fanfare as the Korn Ferry Tour Championship took place Oct. 5-11 at The Federal Club in Hanover County.

Henrico County played an integral role in attracting the event, which was expected to result in about $35 million in economic impact for the region. That’s roughly the same amount generated each year by the Dominion Energy Charity Classic during its 10-year run in Henrico.

“Our objective was to keep professional golf here in our region, and we were able to do that with some great partnerships,” said Dennis Bickmeier, executive director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. HSEA served as an event co-sponsor, along with the Henrico Economic Development Authority, Richmond Region Tourism and Virginia Tourism Corp.

While the remnants of Hurricane Isaias brought showers for the final round, play continued with only minor schedule changes. Florida native Austin Hitt won the tournament with a four-round score of 264 – 20-under par. The top 20 finishers from the field of 60 players earned cards to join the PGA Tour for the next two years.

“Great week,” Bickmeier said, “I will tell you, a lot of positive responses, from the patrons out here, the players, the sponsors, I really feel that we have something to grow on.”

Bickmeier and Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt were among more than 200 amateurs who played alongside the professionals in the event’s practice rounds. The Korn Ferry Tour Championship will remain in the region through 2030.