Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS is back at Panther Creek Country Club this week, bringing professional golf, community support and millions of dollars in economic impact to central Illinois.
The tournament, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, began Thursday morning and runs through Sunday. According to tournament Executive Director Kate Peters, the event generates more than $7 million in economic impact for the Springfield area each year.
“It’s quite a big deal,” Peters said during an interview on WTAX’s Morning Newswatch. “While we’re all out here playing golf and having a professional golf tournament, at the end of the day, all of the proceeds go to benefit the central Illinois community.”
This year’s charitable focus is a new mobile health care initiative supported by Memorial Health’s five hospital foundations. Since Memorial Health became the tournament’s title sponsor in 2021, proceeds have been distributed among the health system’s foundations. Peters said the new initiative gives the tournament a clear mission that community members can support.
The tournament remains free for spectators thanks to a partnership with Visit Springfield. Grounds passes are available at no cost all four days, with free parking and shuttle service provided for attendees.
Organizers are also offering additional attractions beyond golf, including food trucks, the Scheels Fan Zone and Family Fun Day on Saturday, which features a superhero theme for children and families.
Peters said one of the tournament’s strengths is its accessibility.
“You can attend a professional golf tournament totally free of charge,” she said.
This year’s field is considered one of the strongest in tournament history. Peters said all of the top 10 players on the current Korn Ferry Tour points list are competing in Springfield, along with nearly all of the top 50 players.
The field also includes 10 golfers who competed in last week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, as well as 17 PGA Tour winners with a combined 30 PGA Tour victories.
Among the storylines to watch are Korn Ferry Tour players Ian Holt and Doc Redman, who each have two victories this season. A win in Springfield would earn either player an automatic promotion to the PGA Tour through the tour’s three-win promotion program.
The Memorial Health Championship is also one of four Korn Ferry Tour events participating in the Route 66 Bonus Pool program. Players accumulate points across tournaments located along the historic highway, competing for a share of an additional prize pool.
A limited number of all-inclusive hospitality passes remain available for Saturday and Sunday.
