The Sanderson Farms Championship will have a new name after this October following a 12-year run with its current title sponsor.
Steve Jent, executive director of the Sanderson Farms Championship, acknowledged that 2024 will be Sanderson Farms’ final year as the title sponsor of the tournament held annually at the Country Club of Jackson. Sanderson Farms, a poultry producer based in Laurel that recently underwent a merger to become Wayne-Sanderson Farms, has been the title sponsor since 2013.
While Sanderson Farms’ contract runs through 2026, the company has decided to step away from its duties as title sponsor. Instead, Sanderson Farms will remain as a major sponsor for the tournament. No contractual details have been released at this time.
“Wayne-Sanderson Farms is going to continue to partner with us in the near future to help our charitable efforts for Mississippi charities,” Jent said. “There is a natural evolution on the PGA Tour of title sponsors. This has been an awesome 12-year run.”
Since becoming the title sponsor in 2013, the Sanderson Farms Championship has raised more than $17 million with its primary charity of choice being Children’s of Mississippi. Other local charities are also supported through the event.
Prior to Sanderson Farms, other title sponsors of the event have included Deposit Guaranty (1986-1998), Farm Bureau (1999-2006), and Viking (2007-2011). The tournament began in 1968 as the Magnolia Classic and was played in Hattiesburg before moving to the Jackson metro, where it has been played at Madison’s Annandale and the Country Club of Jackson. In 2012, it was called the True South Classic because it did not have a title sponsor.
Events surrounding the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship will run from Monday, Sept. 30 through Monday, Oct. 7 with the professional portion beginning Thursday, Oct. 3. Tickets can be purchased and the full schedule can be viewed here.
