"Slices of 30A"

PGA Tour Event One Step Closer to Sandestin

A new kind of September buzz could be heading to Walton County — and it has nothing to do with the usual back-to-school shuffle or the first signs of fall.

This month, the Walton County Tourist Development Council gave a unanimous thumbs-up to explore a partnership with the PGA Tour, aiming to bring a professional golf tournament to Sandestin as early as 2026. The event would land squarely in the shoulder season, offering a much-needed boost for local businesses during one of the quietest times of year.

The plan now moves to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. If approved, the tournament could anchor several years of new September excitement, filling hotel rooms, keeping hospitality staff working, and shining a national spotlight on the beauty of our area.

The thought of replacing slower fall weeks with the energy of a PGA event is a game-changing opportunity for Walton County — and from the sounds of it, the community is more than ready to trade quiet for the cheers from the fairways.

Now it’s the County Commission’s turn to tee it up.