Trinity Forest Out As Nelson Host After This Year

The Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw explains why the 2020 AT&T Byron Nelson will be the last at Trinity Forest. The bold Coore-Crenshaw design was just one issue, along with the courses location, the lack of shade and a huge decline in tournament revenues.

We have learned that it’s over, that the 2020 Nelson will be the final one held on the south Dallas course. Eventually, the tournament will move to PGA Frisco but it may need to make a stopover back at the Four Seasons TPC for 2021, which is sort of like telling your ex-wife: “Hey, things didn’t work out with my new partner, but I need to come home and crash before moving on to my next one, is that OK?’’

The tournament was expected to eventually move to the PGA of America project in Frisco, but that is at least two years away, meaning the Nelson may have no choice but to return to the TPC it left. Indeed, as Cowlishaw notes, that’ll be an awkward reunion.

It’s a shame. Trinity Forest may be the most eccentric Coore-Crenshaw design of all and one of their more amazing accomplishments given the not-thrilling landscape. But without the lively bunkering they are known for, an emphasis on the ground game (except during Nelson week when things were kept softer), and an awkward clubhouse/course/range setup for a big tournament, this was going to be a tough sell in May date prior to the PGA.

(The course would be the perfect Open Championship tune-up test, but the club is closed by July when players are prepping for the last major.)

The only good news in this case? From the start, sponsor AT&T was involved in the tournament move and former AT&T executive VP Ronald Spears is a club co-founder with Jonas Woods.