FRISCO – The Pavilion isn’t back. But thanks to The Choctaw Club – and despite the Dallas Cowboys – the pizzazz has returned.
When Dallas-Fort Worth golf favorites Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler tee it up at this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament down the street from The Star at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, they’ll take a back seat to the tournament’s centerpiece: the 2,000-capacity, upscale, up-tempo, climate-controlled party central sponsored by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts.
Through its popular endorsement deals with team legends such as Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson, Choctaw is reaching across the Red River to connect with Cowboys fans. Even with Spieth, the three-time major champion who recently shared his frustration being a fan of America’s Team during a practice session with future Hall-of-Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“It’s about what you think,” Spieth said when Gronk asked what it was like rooting for the Cowboys. “When they won their last Super Bowl I was 2 years old.”
Once upon a time, the Byron Nelson was the Spring social event in DFW. During the height of its run at TPC Las Colinas, Tiger Woods played in front of an approving Lord Byron himself. Men showed up to watch golf. Women showed up – often in high-heel shoes and low-cut dresses – to be watched by men. The hub of the activity was The Pavilion, a massive tent which housed flowing drinks, live music and the area’s raucous, real-time version of Tinder.
But after Nelson’s death in 2006, the tournament waned. The golf course grew staid, even at times unsightly. Placed at an awkward time just after The Masters and well before the next major, the event eventually failed to attract top players. So in 2018 it moved to Trinity Forest in south Dallas.
Few shots in this area have been yanked farther out of bounds. Trinity Forest was an eyesore that screamed more Dublin than Dallas. Tree-less, eternal dunes with a flag arbitrarily stuck in the ground every so often. It had, well, nothing to offer. No parking. No shade. No Pavilion. Zero party.
The tournament moved north to Craig Ranch in 2021 and partnered with Choctaw Casino. The Club has since become the hub.
Strategically located to offer views of the 13th tee and 16th green, The Choctaw Club offers a premium buffet, full-service bar and spacious patios with seated views. For the non-golf fans, there’s plenty of people-watching or, if you’re so inclined, a live DJ and free blackjack and craps tables. Consider it a civilized Pavilion.
Best of all, a portion of proceeds from the Choctaw Club will be split between between the tournament’s preferred charity (the Momentous Institute) and the Chahta Foundation, which supports education scholarships for Choctaw Tribal members. In 2024, the Club’s ticket sales generated more than $4 million for charity.
“The Choctaw Club is centered around hospitality and fun,” said Erica Kosemund, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Chief Brand Officer. “It’s the perfect location for fans to watch the CJ Cup Bryon Nelson.”
After this year’s tournament, the TPC golf course will receive a $22 million facelift. Considering its success, something tells us The Choctaw Club doesn’t need to change a thing.
Related: Cowboys Amari Cooper Signing Rumor Is More ‘Desperate’ Than ‘Dreamy’
Related: Michael Irvin Cries ‘$50 Million Robbery’ Over Shedeur Sanders Shocker
Read the full article here
