Wyndham's Champion: Mark Brazil

The Wyndham Championship celebrated its 75^th anniversary last year but over the past decade, the golf tournament has seen some big changes. Owen Covington profiled its evolution for the Triad Business Journal. For this week's Business Report, he tells WFDD's Emily McCord that much of its success can be credited to one North Carolina man who rallied support for the Wyndham Championship.  Now he says it's a place where some of the best young talent is showcased. 

The championship begins next week in Greensboro and, while it's not one of the major tournaments, it's filled with the golf world's young talent like Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Carl Pettersson and Sergio Garcia.

It's also enjoyed some robust corporate support. Most recently, BB&T and Wyndham Worldwide has committed their sponsorship through 2026. But at one point, the tournament was at risk of falling of the PGA calendar.

Covington reports that much of the success can be credited to Mark Brazil, a 47-year old man originally from Asheville who has been at the helm since 2001. He says Brazil led the change from a volunteer-based organization to a professionally-operated and  corporate-backed event. 

"At the same time, he came to the Wyndham from the American Junior Golf Association, so he was involved with a lot of up-and-coming golfers and has seen these golfers when they were still amateurs and developed relationships with them," says Covington. "That's paid off down the road." 

In his vision, Brazil also used the tournament to become a regional economic driver and created an appeal that extends outside of the golf world. 

"This is broadcast on network TV and so it really is a way to introduce the Triad to a broad national, even worldwide, audience. By having a showcase event like this, it really provides the region some exposure."

Covington says because of the extended sponsorships that have been recently secured, the Wyndham Championship is poised for growth, adding that there will be likely be improvements to the course and the ability to do some long-term planning. 

The Business Report on 88.5 WFDD is a partnership with the Triad Business Journal.