
The SAS Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, founded in 2001. It is played in Cary, North Carolina, at the Prestonwood Country Club, with a purse of US$2,100,000 for the 2023 tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | SAS Championship |
| Type | Golf tournament |
| Tour | PGA Tour Champions |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Timing | Autumn |
| Location | Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, North Carolina |
| Sponsor | SAS Institute |
| Purse | US$2,100,000 (2023) |
| Winner's Purse | $315,000 (2023) |
| Founded | 2001 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

SAS Championship
The SAS Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions. It was founded in 2001 and is played each autumn in Cary, North Carolina, at the Prestonwood Country Club. The tournament's main sponsor is the SAS Institute, and the purse for the 2023 tournament totalled $2,100,000, with $315,000 awarded to the winner.
The SAS Championship is a significant event in the PGA Tour Champions calendar, attracting golf fans and players from across the region and beyond. The tournament is known for its competitive field, featuring some of the top names in senior golf, as well as providing an opportunity for up-and-coming players to make their mark.
The event typically spans several days, with practice rounds and pro-am tournaments preceding the main championship. The main tournament consists of three rounds of stroke play, with the player achieving the lowest score over the three rounds being crowned the champion.
The SAS Championship offers a unique experience for spectators, combining the excitement of watching world-class golf with the picturesque setting of the Prestonwood Country Club. The club is renowned for its challenging course design, featuring tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and well-maintained greens.
Over the years, the SAS Championship has witnessed some memorable moments and impressive performances. It has served as a platform for seasoned professionals to showcase their skills and for newcomers to make a name for themselves. The tournament also contributes to the local economy, attracting tourists and golf enthusiasts to the area, and has become an anticipated annual event in the Cary community.
Golf's "Punch": What's the Meaning Behind This Swing?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

PGA Tour Champions
The PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour) is a men's senior golf tour, open to golfers aged 50 and over. The tour is administered as a branch of the PGA Tour. The Senior PGA Championship, founded in 1937, was the only high-profile tournament for older golfers for many years. The idea for a senior tour grew out of a highly successful event in 1978, the Legends of Golf, which featured competition between two-member teams of some of the greatest older golfers. The tour was formally established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until October 2002. The tour was then renamed the Champions Tour through the 2015 season, after which it became the PGA Tour Champions.
Most of the tournaments are played over three rounds (54 holes), which is one fewer than regular professional stroke play tournaments on the PGA Tour. Because of this and smaller fields (81 golfers), there are generally no "cuts" between any of the rounds. However, the five senior majors have a full 72 holes (four rounds) with a 36-hole cut. The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, with a limited field, was played over 72 holes with no cut until 2015. Since 2016, it has been played over 54 holes with no cut.
The format of the Charles Schwab Cup was changed in 2016 to a playoff-style format. Qualification for the playoffs is based on money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season. The top 72 players on the money list automatically qualify for the first playoff event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship. Additionally, if golfers finish in the top 10 in the final non-playoff event, the SAS Championship, and are not in the top 72 on the money list, they will also receive a playoff place.
The SAS Championship is a golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, played annually in autumn in Cary, North Carolina. The tournament was founded in 2001, with a purse of US$2,100,000 for the 2023 tournament, and $315,000 going to the winner.
Golf Star Fleetwood's Height: How Tall Is He?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Prestonwood Country Club
The Fairways course opened in January 1995 and has a yardage of 6,475 with a rating/slope of 71.0/133. The Meadows course, which opened in August 1988, offers a yardage of 7,015 and a rating/slope of 74.7/138. The Highlands course, opened in January 1993, features a yardage of 7,082 and a rating/slope of 74.2/136.
In addition to the golf courses, Prestonwood Country Club also boasts a driving range, three practice greens, a short game area, and a state-of-the-art learning and club-fitting centre. The club provides a full-service golf pro shop with five PGA Golf Class A professionals and three assistant professionals.
The club is known for hosting the annual SAS Championship, a Champions Tour event sponsored by the SAS Institute, with a purse of over $2 million. The tournament was founded in 2001 and is played every autumn.
Golf Stableford System: How Scoring Works
You may want to see also
Explore related products

SAS Institute sponsorship
The SAS Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions. It was founded in 2001 and has been held every autumn since in Cary, North Carolina, at the Prestonwood Country Club. The tournament offers a substantial purse, with the prize for the 2023 tournament totalling US$2,100,000, and $315,000 going to the winner.
The tournament is sponsored by the SAS Institute, a business analytics software and services provider. As the main sponsor, the institute has helped elevate the status of the tournament, attracting top players and media attention. The sponsorship has also provided the institute with valuable brand exposure and marketing opportunities within the golf industry and beyond.
The SAS Institute's sponsorship of the championship is a strategic move to associate the company's brand with the prestige and exclusivity of golf. Golf tournaments provide an excellent platform for networking and business development, as they attract high-profile individuals, business leaders, and potential clients. By sponsoring the tournament, the institute gains access to this exclusive network and can foster relationships with key stakeholders.
In addition to business opportunities, the sponsorship also allows the institute to demonstrate its commitment to supporting sports and promoting healthy competition. The tournament showcases the skills and talents of the players, providing an avenue for the institute to celebrate and encourage athletic excellence.
The SAS Institute's sponsorship of the SAS Championship is a mutually beneficial partnership. The tournament benefits from the institute's financial support and reputation, while the institute gains exposure, networking opportunities, and the ability to showcase its brand to a captive audience. This sponsorship is an example of the institute's strategic marketing and brand-building initiatives, leveraging the popularity of golf to reach and engage with a diverse audience.
Golfing in Orlando: The AM Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Tournament purse and winnings
The SAS Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, founded in 2001. It is played in the autumn in Cary, North Carolina, at the Prestonwood Country Club, with the SAS Institute being the main sponsor.
The tournament purse has seen incremental increases over the years. For example, the 2023 tournament purse was $2.1 million, with the winner taking home $315,000. This represents a substantial increase in prize money from previous years. The 2024 tournament purse is set to continue this trend, with a total purse of $2.1 million on offer once again. This substantial purse attracts some of the best players on the Champions Tour, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere for both players and spectators alike.
The winner of the SAS Championship not only receives a substantial monetary reward but also gains improved status and access on the tour. This can lead to enhanced career prospects and increased sponsorship opportunities. Additionally, the increased exposure and recognition that come with winning a prestigious tournament like the SAS Championship can significantly boost a player's profile in the golf world.
While the winner's share of the purse is significant, the prize money is distributed among the top finishers. The exact payout amounts vary each year, but typically, a substantial portion of the total purse is allocated to the winner, with decreasing amounts awarded to the runners-up. This distribution ensures that the top performers in the tournament are financially rewarded for their achievements.
The SAS Championship has become a prominent event on the PGA Tour Champions calendar, attracting both seasoned professionals and up-and-coming talent. The substantial tournament purse and winnings have contributed to its growing reputation, making it a sought-after title in the world of professional golf.
Golfing at Sea Level: How Altitude Affects Your Game
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The SAS Championship is a golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions.
It is played annually in autumn in Cary, North Carolina, at the Prestonwood Country Club.
The SAS Institute is the main sponsor of the tournament.
The tournament was founded in 2001.
The purse for the 2023 tournament was US$2,100,000, with $315,000 going to the winner.








































