Return to Congaree Golf Club: THE CJ CUP in South Carolina

After the success of the Palmetto Championship in June 2021, Congaree Golf Club will once again host a PGA TOUR tournament – THE CJ CUP in South Carolina.

THE CJ CUP, which launched in 2017, is Korea’s first Official PGA TOUR tournament.  The first three years of the event were played at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island. Because of the challenges of COVID-19, the tournament was relocated to the United States. The first two locations were Shadow Creek Golf Course (2020) and the Summit Club (2021), both in Las Vegas, NV.

This year will mark the first time THE CJ CUP will be contested in the Southeast at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, SC.

THE CJ CUP will feature a 78-man field. Five players are designated by the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association and three players, of Korean nationality, from the Official World Golf Rankings. This is part of the CJ Group’s vision to support the development of professional golf in Korea. The remainder of the field will be comprised of leading players from the 2021-2022 FedExCup points list and sponsor exemptions.

Congaree has received numerous accolades since its opening and was named the Best New Private Golf Course of 2018 and the Best Golf Course Built This Decade (2010-2019) by Golf Digest. The club also debuted at No. 39 on Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Congaree’s 8^th Hole, a 488-yard Par 4, has quickly become a favorite of players and was named on Golf.com’s Dream 18 list of the best holes in golf.

Congaree is the world’s first philanthropic golf club. Their mission is “to positively impact the lives of young people locally and around the globe by providing educational and vocational opportunities through the game of golf.”

Congaree Foundation’s signature event, the Global Golf Initiative (CGGI) provides underserved and well-deserving high school students, who aspire to play collegiate golf, with the highest level of athletic and academic consulting.

During the one-week program, CGGI participants receive intensive training from educators, guidance counselors and golf instructors, leaving them better prepared for the college admissions process and identifying which schools will be the best for them. While staying at Congaree, students learn about test-taking strategies, goal setting, and resume building as well as NCAA regulations, athletic-academic balance, and how to communicate with coaches. Since its inception in 2017, 138 students from around the world have gone through CGGI, with nearly all of them going on to attend college through a combination of academic and athletic scholarships. Additionally, 48 students have gone on to play college golf at schools like University of Texas, University of Nebraska, College of Charleston, and Elon University.

Congaree Foundation also works extensively in the Lowcountry to expand access to the game of golf and to address critical needs in the community.

The historic Sergeant Jasper Golf Club in Ridgeland was acquired by the Foundation in 2021. Since then, Congaree Foundation has worked to revitalize The Sarge, as it’s known locally, in order to provide a quality public course for the community and new home to area high school golf teams. In 2018, Congaree launched a youth golf instruction program at Ridgeland-Hardeeville High School that has introduced hundreds of students to the game.

Congaree Foundation also works extensively with the Lowcountry Food Bank and Boys & Girls Club of Jasper County. In 2020, the Congaree Career Launch program was established to connect underserved youth in Jasper County to careers and educational pathways that lead to economic stability and future success. Funded by Congaree Foundation, the program will support access and exposure to workforce opportunities in industries represented in the Lowcountry region.

THE CJ CUP in South Carolina will be contested October 17-23, 2022.

For more information about THE CJ CUP at Congaree Golf Club, volunteer opportunities, and tickets please visit PGATOUR.com.

For more information about the South Carolina Lowcountry and planning your visit click here.

Beaufort, SC, approximately 28 miles from Congaree Golf Club.

Bluffton, SC, approximately 28 miles from Congaree Golf Club.

Walterboro, SC, approximately 36 miles from Congaree Golf Club.

While in the area stop by the Lowcountry Visitor Center. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to share local insight in navigating the area that is south of Charleston and north of Savannah.