Astros Golf Foundation's Kibbe on Houston Open return in 2024: 'This community (has) been fully supportive and (has) helped us get to this position'

The Houston Open won’t be played in 2023, but it’ll return in the spring of 2024, Houston-based media outlets reported.

Last November was when the Bayou City’s premier Professional Golf Association (PGA) event was played, and according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, the purse has increased from $8.4 million to $9.1 million.

KHOU reported that Astros Golf Foundation leader Giles Kibbe said in a statement his group is “very excited” about the Houston Open’s inclusion on the PGA spring slate though the date has yet to be announced, calling it “a great opportunity.”

“We’ve been working to make this happen ever since [Astros owner] Jim Crane stepped in to save the tournament,” Kibbe said. “The city and this community have been fully supportive and have helped us get to this position. This move enables us to get a stronger field of players, grow the event and continue making significant contributions to local charities.”

According to KHOU, the Houston Open will be classified as a non-designated event, which means the PGA Tour’s top players don’t have to play in it.

In a statement issued by his office, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he has worked for the return of the Houston Open to the PGA’s spring calendar since he first took office, the station reported.

“The fact that it happened so quickly must be credited to Astros owner Jim Crane and is a testament to what can be accomplished by a true public and private partnership and this community's support of the Astros Golf Foundation, which raised $34 million to renovate the Memorial Park Golf Course and improve its facilities,” Turner, who’s in his last term in the city’s highest office, said. "The city has worked very closely with Jim and the Astros to turn the Memorial Park Golf Course into one of the best municipal golf courses in the country that is worthy of a PGA Tour event and a great place for all Houstonians to play.”

Houston NPR affiliate Houston Public Media (HPM) reported that the Houston Open serves as the Astros Foundation’s largest fundraiser in addition to other charities. 

The foundation told HPM that the event, which was played outside Houston proper until 2020, pumps nearly $90 million into the local economy. 

Last year’s winner was Tony Finnau.