Cover Story – 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge Preview
Colonial Country Club is steeped in rich history. The club opened in 1936 and was the brainchild of Marvin Leonard, who had long dreamed of bringing bent grass greens he had seen on northern courses to Fort Worth. Designed by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell, the parkland design has been a delight to members, guests and PGA TOUR players for almost 90 years. In addition to the iconic tartan jacket, the 2025 winner will also have their name added to the Wall of Champions and also receive a 1992 Land Rover Defender painted in Schwab light blue.
Ben Hogan famously won at Colonial five times, earning the course the nickname “Hogan’s Alley.” Other notable winners include Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Nick Price, Zach Johnson and Jordan Spieth.
The 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge will once again bring the focus of the golf world to Fort Worth and Colonial Country Club. This will be the second tournament since Gil Hanse fully renovated and restored this historic club a couple of years ago. The 2025 version will feature all the fun fans have become accustomed to at the Schwab.
The field continues to grow as we near the tournament, but early commitments are encouraging as the top players in the world come to Colonial. Fan attractions include the Schwab Performance Center, where fans can get a free swing evaluation by PGA professionals. Cadillac EV viewing decks are open to patrons, and the family zone will be a great place for those with children.
Multiple ticket and hospitality options are available for the Schwab, with simple daily grounds passes available, as well as more extravagant options that allow clubhouse access and complimentary food and drink options. As usual, the Schwab will be a must-attend for golf fans or those just looking for some outdoor entertainment as the springtime weather rolls on.
Who’s going to be in the field?
There are plenty of great players in the field for the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2025. Defending champ Davis Riley will be in the field to try to defend his 2024 win.
Other past champions in the field at this year’s Charles Schwab Challenge include 2023 champion Emiliano Grillo, 2020 winner Daniel Berger, 2016 champion Jordan Spieth, 1996 winner Corey Pavin, 1997 champ David Frost, 1999 champ Olin Browne, 2015 winner Chris Kirk, two-time champ Zach Johnson and 2017 champion Kevin Kisner. More past champions are expected to commit as the tournament draws closer.
Other notable commitments include 2009 U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover, 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett. Other fan favorites committed to the 2025 tournament include Tommy Fleetwood, Joel Dahmen, Michael Block, Aaron Baddeley, Nico Echavarria, Charley Hoffman, Michael Kim, Beau Hossler, Andrew Novak, Aldrich Potgieter, Aaron Rai, Si Woo Kim, Seamus Power, Brandt Snedeker, Sepp Straka, Camilo Villegas and Jake Knapp.
Local residents committed (as of the printing of this feature) include Pierceson Coody, Noah Goodwin, Harry Higgs, Tom Hoge, Ryan Palmer, Hayden Springer and Will Zalatoris.
More commitments are expected in the coming weeks, so be sure to check www.charlesschwabchallenge.com for updates.
If I get tickets, where should I take in the golf action?
For spectating, Colonial is a top-of-the-food-chain viewing experience. The course is easy to navigate, as getting from one side of the property to the other doesn’t take much time or effort on the small course footprint. The main spot for great spectating is the area near the main clubhouse. From this spot, you can take in the action as players come in on No. 18 or take the short walk to watch approach shots into the green on the par-3 16th, tee shots on No. 17, or you can head the opposite direction down the hill to watch approach shots on No. 9 and tee shots on No. 10. Just across from the 10th tee is the putting green and practice chipping area, which are cool spots to watch players prepare for their round or get in some practice after they finish for the day. There are also autograph areas for kids near No. 18 green and the practice putting green.
The ”Horrible Horseshoe” is another great trio of holes for spectators, as you can follow Tour stars as they navigate the long par-4 dogleg left third, the par-3 fourth and the difficult par-4 fifth. No. 8 is another hole that saw some changes during the Gil Hanse renovation from a couple of years ago. The green has shifted over to the left, nestling up next to a small tributary running off the Trinity River. Players now need to avoid that water, and this offers a great place for spectators to watch and potentially see an ace.
For those who like the long ball, No. 11 is the lone par 5 on the back nine of this par-70 layout. If you want to see the pros bang driver, this tee box is the place to do it. No. 16 is another par 3 reimagined by Hanse, and another great opportunity to see the best in the world dance golf balls near the hole.
Then there is the famous No. 13. This par 3 has been a hotbed for action over the years, with plenty of drinks flowing and corporate hospitality surrounding the green, making for a fun atmosphere with lots of energy.
What’s the ticket situation?
A standard grounds pass provides fans with the ability to walk the entire course, including the practice facilities, gain access to all public venues including the Fan Shop and Schwab’s The 5 Performance Center, purchase food and beverages throughout the course and stand right along the rope line to watch the world’s best PGA TOUR players. You also have access to No. 13, the Food Truck Fairway near No. 1 and No. 2, and opportunities to sit in shaded viewing areas across the property. Grounds tickets are $50 for Wednesday and Sunday, $85 for Thursday, Friday or Saturday, or $100 for any one-day grounds ticket, good Wednesday through Sunday.
2025 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial
DATES: May 19-May 25, 2025
TITLE SPONSOR: Charles Schwab
SITE: Colonial Country Club, opened 1936; Designers: John Bredemus, Perry Maxwell, Gil Hanse
CALENDAR OF EVENTS (subject to change, see website for times)
Saturday, May 17: First Tee Youth Festival
Sunday, May 18: Ben Hogan Pro-Am Pairings Party, CCC Junior Invitational
Monday, May 19: Ben Hogan Pro-Am (closed to the public), Hogan Awards Reception
Tuesday, May 20: Executive Women’s Day Luncheon (closed to the public)
Wednesday, May 21: Military Home Donation Event, Lockheed Martin Care Packaging, Player Meet & Greet, Colonial Pro-Am (open to the public, tickets required)
Thursday, May 22: First Round
Friday, May 23: Second Round
Saturday, May 24: Third Round
Sunday, May 25: Final Round
PURSE: $9.5 million
BROADCAST: PGA TOUR Live, PGA TOUR Radio, Golf Channel, CBS
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Davis Riley
CHARITIES: Ben Hogan Award, The First Tee of Fort Worth, Charles Schwab Challenge Military Home Donation, Colonial Charities Challenge, Birdies for Charity
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $50 for Wednesday, $85 for Thursday, Friday or Saturday, and $50 for Sunday. One-day flex tickets (good any day) are $100, The Villages ticket is $350 per day, and the Mizzen + Main Patio Club tickets are $580 per day. Children 15 and under receive free grounds admission when accompanied by a General Admission ticket holder. This applies to grounds access only and does not include entry to premium areas (clubhouse, private suites, Casitas, Cabanas, Patio Club or Villages). Active, reserve and retired military members can receive complimentary tickets, parking and hospitality for one day during the Charles Schwab Challenge. Please download your digital Military ticket on your phone and have your Military ID for entry. Military tickets grant access to the golf course grounds as well as to the Patriots Outpost hospitality tent.
PARKING: Gold valet parking available at the Colonial Country Club clubhouse for $150 Wednesday, $175 Thursday, $200 Friday, $175 Saturday and Sunday. Silver VIP parking is available at TCU’s Worth Hills parking garage, and is $50 on Wednesday, $75 Thursday, $100 Friday and $75 for Saturday and Sunday. Public parking is available Thursday – Sunday on Rockwood Lane (near Rockwood Park Golf Course) and includes round-trip shuttle to the main entrance at No. 4. This option is $25 daily.
RIDESHARE: The Rideshare drop off/pick-up and special entry gate is at No. 1 green and No. 2 tee box, located at 2300 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76109
WEBSITE: www.charlesschwabchallenge.com
SPECTATOR NOTES
Cameras are strictly prohibited on Tournament days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). On Practice Round days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), cameras are permitted for still photography and personal use only. Only one camera lens is permitted during Practice Rounds, and it may not exceed more than eight inches in length when fully extended. The PGA TOUR security policy is in effect at the tournament. No bags larger than 6”x6” (including carrying cases, backpacks, camera bags or chair bags) are permitted through the gates. No clear, plastic, vinyl or other carry items larger than 12”x6”x12” are permitted through the gates. For more information, please visit the PGA TOUR Prohibited Items and Permitted Items.,All facilities at the Charles Schwab Challenge are cashless. Credit card and debit card are the only accepted methods of payment at concession stands, merchandise shops and shipping locations. Located at Colonial Country Club Security inside the clubhouse, Lost and Found is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Any patron finding a lost item on the grounds should report it to the nearest security manager, who can deliver the item to Lost and Found. No animals or pets are allowed on the grounds except animals necessary and specially trained to assist or guide the physically impaired.