The Peoples Championship

The Origins of The Peoples Championship

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the fall golf season was canceled for most teams. With no scheduled tournaments until the spring of 2021, teams were looking for extra events to make their season as full as possible. That’s when Western Carolina Coach Tim Eckberg saw an opportunity. One of his former player’s fathers was part of a group that had taken over management of Sea Palms Resort. A couple of years prior, Eckberg had visited and played at the coastal course, which is set within the island’s lagoons and salt marshes. From the tee boxes to the greens, he fell in love with every part of it. That continued relationship sparked the idea of hosting a spring tournament.

He quickly put together an event, hoping to attract 6 to 8 teams. Remarkably, 17 teams signed up! Everyone involved absolutely loved the experience—the golf course, the resort, and of course, St. Simons Island. Virtually overnight, the tournament became a major success. Coach Eckberg is proud to continue hosting this prestigious event for competitive teams from across the country.

Peoples Golf Becomes Title Sponsor

In 2024, Peoples Golf became the title sponsor, partnering to help the tournament grow for years to come. Owner Will Peoples, a proud Catamount (Class of 2007), had already built a strong relationship with the WCU Golf team. This partnership enabled Peoples Golf to support the growth of the game while working with some of the nation’s top collegiate golfers.

At Peoples Golf, everything is built in-house, ensuring the absolute best quality with a personal touch. With The Peoples Clubs and Tour Stock Putters, Peoples Golf has established itself as a leader in the industry. Our goal in sponsoring this event is multifaceted—we want to help grow the game, give back, and support junior golfers and young players striving to reach their full potential.

We also recognize both the talent and the need for programs like these. Many of these schools operate on smaller budgets and don’t have direct access to major golf manufacturers. With NIL, everything in college sports is different these days, and in our opinion, these are the players who need it most.

Looking Ahead to 2025

If you're interested in learning more about the 2025 Peoples Championship, please visit our website for details and live scoring! We recently signed a five-year pledge with WCU and are excited to continue developing this tournament, improving it each year.

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We are also planning another tournament exclusively for our customers—stay tuned!