ALLENTOWN, PA. — Today officials from Jefferson Health, the PGA TOUR Champions and Lehigh Country Club announced a five-year partnership to host a new professional golf tournament: The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, which will debut on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule in fall 2026. The competition will be held annually at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania and is expected to provide a $50 million boost to the local economy.

The inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will be hosted the week of September 28 and will feature a field of 78 PGA TOUR Champions players, with legends of the game, including Stewart Cink, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer and more.

Proceeds will benefit local charities in Northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions, including the primary beneficiaries of the inaugural tournament, Valley Youth House and Eagles Autism Foundation.

All three rounds of the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will be televised on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.

HNS Sports Group, an Ohio-based event management LLC specializing in golf, will manage the event.

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

“We are thrilled to partner with Jefferson Health and bring PGA TOUR Champions golf to the Lehigh Valley,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “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."

The tournament’s title sponsor, Jefferson Health, is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems, and is committed to delivering exceptional clinical and compassionate care to patients in the Philadelphia region. Jefferson aims to reimagine health care and higher education to create unparalleled value in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. More than 65,000 people strong, Jefferson is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through clinical and applied research. They are dedicated to training future health professionals and conducting research to improve clinical care and offer a wide range of disciplines and programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their respective fields. Through innovative teaching methods and hands-on training, they prepare future healthcare providers to meet the evolving needs of the community.

“This is all about making a long-term, positive impact on the Lehigh Valley and the surrounding areas,” said Dr. Joe Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson. “As we continue to integrate our two leading health systems, it’s important that we drive awareness and access to our uncompromising care throughout the region.” 

“While we don’t know which player is going to win the inaugural event, we already know that our charitable partners will be the real winners,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Jefferson. “We want the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic to be among the most charitable and well-attended events on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule beginning in year one.”

Lehigh Country Club is regarded as one of the top golf destinations not only in the Lehigh Valley, but in Pennsylvania, routinely being ranked among the top courses in the state. The club moved to its current location in 1928, with the course designed by the renowned architect William S. Flynn. The 206-acre site was previously farmland owned by the Kemmerer and Kline families and was purchased by a group of forty-two club members. The fairways at Lehigh Country Club are known for their masterful routing, featuring significant elevation changes.

Valley Youth House is a catalyst for youth to achieve their desired futures through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places and build community connections. They partner with each young person they meet to help them create the best possible outcome for their unique situation.

“We are deeply honored to be named beneficiary of the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic through this incredible partnership with Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network. At Valley Youth House, we believe every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Christina Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Advancement for Valley Youth House. “This generous commitment will help us continue to provide critical support, housing, and resources to young people in our community. We’re grateful to work alongside organizations who share our dedication to caring for our community and building healthy futures for all.”

On the field, the Philadelphia Eagles are united by one objective: victory. Off the field, the team is drawn together by an even larger goal: taking action for autism through the Eagles Autism Foundation. The Foundation’s biggest strength is bringing people together through research, advocacy, empathy and unity. Together, the Eagles Autism Foundation is making an impact that echoes around the globe.

“The Eagles Autism Foundation is proud to be recognized as one of the beneficiaries of the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic,” said Ryan Hammond, Executive Director, Eagles Autism Foundation. “We are grateful to collaborate with like-minded organizations like Jefferson Health, that continue to serve under-represented communities including those on the autism spectrum. 100% of this generous donation from Jefferson Health will help fund innovative autism research and care programs, making a transformational impact in our Eagles autism community.”