The Fortinet Championship, formerly known as the Safeway Open, is a professional golf tournament associated with the PGA Tour. It originated in 2007 as the Fry's Electronics Open and took place at Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. It underwent a name change to Frys.com Open in 2008 and relocated to CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, California, near San Jose, in 2010. The tournament then moved again in October 2014 to the Silverado Country Club in Napa, California.
Starting from the October 2016 event, which was part of the PGA Tour's 2017 season, Safeway Inc. became the main sponsor and remained so until 2020. Subsequently, Fortinet took over as the title sponsor through a six-year agreement, beginning in 2021. The Fortinet Championship also happens to be the most fan-friendly event on the PGA TOUR, it offers the spectators everything they need, from world-class golfing to all the finer things in life, such as world-class culinary and wine experiences.
Silverado's North Course hosted a PGA Tour event annually from 1968 to 1980, initially as the Kaiser International Open Invitational. It was later called the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic starting in 1977 until it moved to Kingsmill in Virginia in 1981 and continued there until 2002.
The Frys.com Open started as a PGA Tour Fall Series event spanning from 2007 to 2012. Then, beginning in October 2013, the PGA Tour shifted its starting point from January to October, making the tournament the opening event of the PGA Tour season and granting FedEx Cup points to participants.
The first tournament in 2007 took place at Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mike Weir emerged as the victor, narrowly defeating Mark Hensby. The 2008 edition saw Cameron Beckman triumph on the second playoff hole as Kevin Sutherland faltered. In 2009, Troy Matteson accomplished a PGA Tour 36-hole record of 122 strokes, clinching victory in a three-way playoff against Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark. Notably, John Mallinger equaled the course record with a remarkable 62 at CordeValle in San Martin in 2012.
Initially, there were plans to move the tournament to The Institute Golf Course in Morgan Hill, owned by John Fry, once the facilities were ready, likely by 2016 or 2017. However, this vision was disrupted due to the switch in sponsorship to Safeway in 2016, preventing the intended relocation.
The schedule for the Fortinet Championship 2023 championship is truly out of this world. Once you get a sneak peek into the schedule, you'll understand why the Fortinet Championship was voted and awarded the “Most Fan Friendly Event” by the PGA TOUR! The championship is set to take place on the South Course from 15 Sep 2022 - 18 Sep 2022. It's not only going to have the world's best golfer playing, but audiences can expect exquisite wine and rocking concert shows, with artists such as Brothers Osborne and Judah & The Lion performing live. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, September 14
7:00 AM: Gates Open, & 1st Tee Time, followed by first-round live action of the Fortinet Championship.
Friday, September 15
7:00 AM: Gates Open, & 1st Tee Time, followed by second round live action of the Fortinet Championship.
5:30 PM: Gates Open for the first concert.
7:00 PM: Concert, Judah & The Lion, Live!
Following the conclusion of the golf event, the initial evening of the Fortinet Championship Concert Series is scheduled to occur on the Silverado Resort Stage situated at South Course Hole #2.
Saturday, September 16
7:00 AM: Gates Open, & 1st Tee Time, followed by third round live action of the Fortinet Championship.
5:30 PM: Gates Open for the second concert.
6:30 PM: Concert, Stone Temple Pilots and +LIVE+, live!
Once again, following the conclusion of the golf event, the second evening of the Fortinet Championship Concert Series is scheduled to occur on the Silverado Resort Stage situated at South Course Hole #2.
Sunday, September 17
7:00 AM: Gates Open, & 1st Tee Time, followed by the final round live action of the Fortinet Championship.
The Silverado Resort and Spa is a sprawling 1,200-acre (4.9 km2) recreational complex in Napa County, California, USA, known for its golf, tennis, and spa facilities. Its name is derived from the nearby Silverado Mine, once a mercury mine close to Mount Saint Helena. Moving on to the golf course, the original 18-hole golf course, now referred to as the North Course, was established 68 years ago in 1955. In 1966, it underwent a redesign by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and concurrently, the South Course was introduced. The resort boasts an impressive array of amenities including 16 tennis courts, 10 swimming pools, 280 guest condo hotel units, and private cottage suites. Within the resort's premises, there are also 300 privately owned condominiums.
Over the years, the Silverado Resort has played host to a bunch of PGA Tour events. Notably, the North Course was the venue for the Kaiser International Open Invitational from 1968 to 1976, succeeded by the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic from 1977 to 1980. The South Course has witnessed Champions Tour events between 1989 and 2002, bearing titles such as Transamerica, Transamerica Senior Golf Championship, and Napa Valley Championship. The PGA Tour made a return to the North Course in October 2014 with the Frys.com Open, later rebranded as the Safeway Open, and presently recognized as the Fortinet Open.
A. The Fortinet Championship will be taking place in the Silverado Resort.
A. The famous Fortinet Championship is an annual event on the PGA TOUR where the best of Napa meets the best of professional golf. The Fortinet golf tournament happens to be the most audience friendly tournament, offering spectators with world-class wine experiences, concerts & shows and incredible golf.
A. Norway's Viktor Hovland won the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday, collecting the FedEx Cup and an $18 million bonus.
A. Back in the day, the very popular Fortinet Championship used to be called the Safeway Open, which was still a part of the PGA Tour.
