On April 24, officials from Jefferson Health, The PGA TOUR Champions and Lehigh Country Club announced a five year partnership to debut the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, a new professional golf tournament.

The announcement was made at a special news conference at the Lehigh Country Club followed by a luncheon that included a fireside chat with World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin.

The annual competition will take place on the grounds of the Lehigh Country Club and hopes to boost the local economy by an estimated $50 million.

President of the PGA TOUR Champions Miller Brady proclaimed, “relationships matter (and this partnership) is a win-win for everyone.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Valley Youth House, Eagles Autism Foundation and other local charities in the Lehigh Valley, Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as the Greater Philadelphia area.

PGA TOUR Champions consists of professional golfers aged 50 and older and includes 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Eligibility to compete in this tournament requires players to be 50 years old by the first competition round. If a player plays less than six tournaments in the first season of eligibility, the player is classified as a “rookie” for the next season.

Players compete for substantial amounts of money. This year, players will compete for more than $69 million in total prize money which is the highest PGA TOUR Champions’ prize money in the 45-season history of the event, as reported by PGA TOUR Champions.

The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will consist of a 54-hole stroke play golf tournament and include 78 PGA TOUR Champions players.

The inaugural event will occur Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026 and could include golf legends such as Stewart Cink, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.

Players will compete for a $2.3 million purse.

Miller said “Golf legends and World Golf Hall of Fame members will have an exceptional week of competition at a first-rate golf course in Lehigh Country Club.

“We’re excited to bring local golf enthusiasts an unforgettable experience and look forward to making a lasting, positive impact on the community for years to come,” Miller said.

Two-time U.S. Open Champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin who won 45 times on PGA TOUR Champions attended the news conference April 24.

In 2000, Irwin played in the event at Lower Saucon Country Club and won. In a “fireside chat” he revealed he enjoyed winning but remembers more the kindness shown by the community.

Regarded as one of the top golf destinations not only for the Lehigh Valley, but also in Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Country Club’s golf course is the “crown jewel of the property,” Lehigh Country Club President Rich Adams said, sharing the history of the golf course, including its move to the current location on Cedar Crest Boulevard in 1928.

Previously owned by the Kemmerer and Kline families and used as farmland, this 206-acre site was purchased by 42 club members.

Architect William S. Flynn designed the course.

Adams added the national media exposure, the charitable groups, the hospitality and sponsorships are incredible opportunities.

“This is an exciting day for the (Lehigh) Country Club and the Lehigh Valley. I am looking forward to Fall of 2026,” Adams said.

The event will consist of three rounds and will be televised on the GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions providing coverage in 170 countries and territories with the help of 22 media partners.

The Ohio-based event management HNS Sports Group specializes in golf and will manage the event.

Managing Partner for HNS Sports Group Dan Sullivan acknowledged the importance of living and working in the community to support the event. Some individuals will want to play golf while others will buy tickets to various supporting events. Some individuals could volunteer for the event while others want to view as spectators. Sullivan encouraged these are “great rallying points for clubs and companies that want to be a part of this event.”

“There will be a week of activities for all, not just golf fans,” Sullivan said.

“We (HNS Sports Group) are proud and excited” to be a part of this tournament.

Tournaments for Charity, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit entity will serve as the tournament’s host.

Jefferson Health is the tournament’s title sponsor.

Referring to the partnership of Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Jefferson Health Nick Ragone, Esq. shared this “was the best decision we made to work with Jefferson. Jefferson is dedicated to providing “high-quality and compassionate clinical care for patients.” Jefferson wants to “make communities healthier and stronger.”

CEO of Jefferson Dr. Joe Cacchione commented, “This is all about making a long-term, positive impact on the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.”

He also said “this (tournament) is not really about the golf. It is really about the charities and communities that will benefit. (Jefferson) wants to cement our commitment to the community.”

Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk said the Jefferson Health Classic will have a “huge economic impact” on the area. He explained the new Moxy Hotel, downtown music events and the premier entertainment PPL Center are important to the city’s economy; however, this (event) “puts Lehigh Valley on the map. This is special to the Lehigh Valley.”

Tuerk said the sponsorship of Jefferson Health indicates “Jefferson puts its money where its mouth is” and is committed to the communities of the Lehigh Valley.

Following Tuerk’s comments, Ragone returned to the stage to reveal the countdown clock to the event.

Valley Youth House is one of the charities to benefit from this tournament. Originated in 1973 in Bethlehem, Valley Youth House provides support to young people who face challenges of homelessness, housing insecurity and loss of family connections. Donations will be used to provide emergency shelter, stable housing, counseling and life skills training for young people.

Another charity benefiting from the tournament will be the Eagles Autism Foundation which will use the funds for innovative autism research and care programs.

The foundation’s goal is “to inspire and engage the community” to have a significant impact in the field of autism.

Former Eagles player Mike Quick attended the press conference to support this event and the Eagles Autism Foundation.

Individuals, groups, businesses and companies can reach out to HNS Sports Group for opportunities to be involved.