Championship golf returns to Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort Sept. 13-16 with a nationally recognized broadcast team, live multi-platform coverage, sponsorship opportunities for national, regional and local businesses, and free spectator admission.
ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. — The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort Presented by New Mexico True will return Sept. 13-16 with several firsts in the championship’s 72-year history. The tournament will feature a live multi-platform broadcast hosted by nationally recognized golf broadcasters Notah Begay III and Ryan Burr. Duff Foreman™, an autonomous, conversational AI broadcast personality, also will make his tournament debut and is expected to establish a first for professional golf by appearing live on-screen and interacting with human hosts during tournament coverage. Admission will be free throughout championship week, marking the first time spectators have been actively invited to attend the tournament.
Championship Golf Returns to Southern New Mexico
The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort Presented by New Mexico True will begin with the tournament’s annual Pro-Am on Sunday, Sept. 13, followed by the 54-hole professional championship Sept. 14-16. Organized by the Sun Country Section of the PGA of America, the New Mexico Open has showcased many of the Southwest’s top professional and amateur golfers since 1954 and remains New Mexico’s premier professional golf championship.
For the first time in tournament history, spectators are being actively invited to attend the championship, with free admission throughout the event. Fans will be able to watch many of the Southwest’s top professional golfers compete from designated viewing areas across the course, visit sponsor exhibits, enjoy hospitality experiences and discover everything Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort and the Elephant Butte region have to offer.
“We’ve spent the past two years building the New Mexico Open into something that extends well beyond championship golf,” said James Prendamano, CEO and co-founder of PreReal Investments and owner of Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort. “Golf is what brings people here. What keeps them coming back is everything else. We want visitors to experience a first-class championship, meet wonderful people and discover why southern New Mexico is one of the Southwest’s most memorable destinations.”
National Broadcast to Showcase Championship Golf Across Multiple Platforms
The 2026 New Mexico Open will feature one of the most comprehensive live media productions ever assembled for a PGA of America Section championship. For three consecutive days, the professional championship will be presented through a live sports broadcast combining tournament coverage, player interviews, special guests, course strategy, destination features and behind-the-scenes access from Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort.
The broadcast will be hosted by four-time PGA TOUR champion and NBC Sports and Golf Channel analyst Notah Begay III, alongside veteran national sports broadcaster Ryan Burr, whose career includes NBC Sports, Golf Channel, ESPN, FOX Sports and coverage of many of the world’s premier sporting events. Together, the two will provide live play-by-play commentary, player interviews, tournament analysis and conversations with special guests throughout the championship.
The three-hour live broadcast will stream Sept. 14-16 across the digital platforms of KRQE-TV (CBS Albuquerque), FOX New Mexico (FOX 505), and KTSM-TV (NBC El Paso-Las Cruces), as well as YouTube Live, Facebook Live and Instagram Live. Additional distribution will include the digital platforms and social media channels of Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort, the Sun Country Section of the PGA of America, New Mexico True, Troon and participating sponsors, along with regional tourism organizations, community partners, as well as state and local elected officials. A complete list of viewing platforms and direct links will be published on the Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort website before the tournament.
In addition to the live broadcast, the Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort Media Production Team will produce a daily broadcast-quality television news feed featuring tournament highlights, player interviews, sponsor interviews, and news b-roll. The content will be distributed each afternoon to television news stations within approximately 500 miles of Elephant Butte, providing broadcasters with ready-to-air coverage for afternoon, evening, late-night, and early morning newscasts.
“Great golf deserves great storytelling,” Begay said. “The New Mexico Open is an event that showcases outstanding talent on a championship course that tests all aspects of a competitor’s ability. This broadcast gives us the opportunity to bring viewers inside the competition, introduce them to southern New Mexico and share stories they won’t find on a traditional golf telecast.”
AI Broadcast Personality Expected to Establish a First for Professional Golf
Duff Foreman™, developed by Gopher Hole Productions, will join Begay and Burr throughout the tournament’s live broadcasts as an autonomous, conversational AI broadcast personality, appearing live on-screen and engaging in real-time conversations with human hosts during tournament coverage.
Throughout the championship, Foreman will respond in real time to questions from the broadcast team, offering insight into player strategy, swing mechanics, course management, the Rules of Golf and other aspects of the game as play unfolds. His data driven commentary will give viewers direct insight into options and odds that players consider before making key decisions during competition. The quantitative genius of this AI golf analyst provides an additional perspective for viewers and brings analytics directly into the broadcast.
Based on a review of publicly available information, tournament organizers have not identified a documented example of an autonomous, conversational AI broadcast personality appearing live on-screen and engaging in real-time conversations with human hosts during the live broadcast of a professional golf tournament.
Foreman will appear throughout each day’s broadcast, interacting naturally with the hosts as conversations develop during tournament coverage rather than following a scripted presentation.
“One of the things I enjoy most about golf is that every shot tells a story,” Foreman said. “Sometimes the smartest play isn’t the most obvious one. If I can help viewers understand what players are thinking, explain the strategy behind a shot and add another voice to the conversation, I’ll be doing exactly what I was created to do.”
“Every generation has found new ways to bring fans closer to the game,” said Cory Armstrong, executive director of the Sun Country Section of PGA of America. “Television transformed the way people experienced golf. Shot-tracing technology added another dimension. AI now gives us an opportunity to explore another way of explaining the game. We’re looking forward to seeing how viewers respond to Duff during the championship.”
Amateur Golfers Invited to Play Alongside the Pros at the New Mexico Open Pro-Am
The 2026 New Mexico Open Pro-Am will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, giving amateur golfers the opportunity to spend a day on the course alongside many of the Southwest’s top PGA professionals before the championship begins.
Registration is open to golfers of all skill levels. “Teams of three amateur players may register for $1,500, or $500 per player, and each team will be paired with a professional golfer for the day’s competition. Participants will enjoy a full day of tournament activities, including breakfast, lunch, player gifts provided by Live Forever Golf, awards presentations and the opportunity to compete for first-, second- and third-place team trophies.
Proceeds from the Pro-Am will benefit the Sun Country Golf House Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the game of golf throughout New Mexico and West Texas. The Foundation supports youth golf, military golf initiatives and programs that expand access to the game throughout the region. Funds raised through the Pro-Am help introduce young people to golf, support military service members and veterans, and create opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise have access to the sport.
“Most golfers never have the opportunity to spend five hours inside the ropes with a PGA professional,” Armstrong said. “The conversations are just as memorable as the golf. You hear how professionals think their way around a course, how they recover from mistakes and how they prepare for every shot. It’s an experience that stays with people long after the tournament is over.”
Additional information about Pro-Am registration, team availability and tournament activities will be available through the Sun Country Golf House and Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort websites.
New Mexico True Leads Growing Sponsor Support for 2026 New Mexico Open
New Mexico True has committed as the tournament’s Presenting Sponsor through a $50,000 sponsorship investment, joining a growing list of organizations supporting the 2026 New Mexico Open. The championship has attracted support from businesses and public-sector leaders as organizers expand the tournament’s reach among golfers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers and families.
“New Mexico is known for its extraordinary places to explore, and it has also earned a reputation for innovation,” said Lancing Adams, Acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Tourism. “As Presenting Sponsor through New Mexico True, we’re proud to help showcase championship golf at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort while introducing visitors to everything that makes southern New Mexico such a remarkable destination.”
In addition to New Mexico True, current sponsors include Troon, Live Forever Golf, Marina del Sur, New Mexico Copper Corporation, Goodwin Recruiting, GCX Group and Player One Productions, with additional sponsors to be announced. Sponsorship opportunities remain available for national, regional and local companies, with programs ranging from $500 hole sponsorships to customized marketing partnerships, hospitality experiences and presenting sponsorship opportunities for future tournaments.
“The response from the business community has been incredible,” Prendamano said. “Our sponsors see where this tournament is headed. They’re investing in an event that introduces thousands of people to southern New Mexico and helps showcase everything this region has to offer. That’s good for tourism, it’s good for local businesses and it’s good for our communities. We’re excited to have so many organizations that want to be part of it.”
Nearly 100 Volunteers Sought for 2026 New Mexico Open
Tournament organizers are recruiting nearly 100 volunteers to help welcome players, spectators and visitors during the 2026 New Mexico Open. Volunteer opportunities will be available throughout tournament week and include player services, scoring support, spectator assistance, hospitality, Pro-Am activities, media operations and other event support roles.
No previous tournament experience is required. Volunteers will receive an orientation before tournament week and serve alongside tournament staff, players, tournament officials and the broadcast team throughout the championship, with select roles providing opportunities to experience the tournament from inside the ropes.
Volunteers will receive an exclusive uniform and commemorative gift package provided by Live Forever Golf, complimentary golf at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort, and breakfast and lunch on the days they are scheduled to work. They also will be invited to a volunteer appreciation dinner following the tournament in recognition of their contributions to the championship.
“People remember great events because of the people they meet,” Mayor Richard Holcomb said. “Our volunteers help create that first impression. They represent Elephant Butte with pride, and I know they’ll make every visitor feel welcome. That’s something our entire community can be proud of.”
More Information
Spectator information, volunteer registration, Pro-Am registration, sponsorship opportunities, broadcast viewing information and championship updates will be published throughout the summer on the Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort website and social media channels.
About the New Mexico Open
The New Mexico Open is New Mexico’s premier state golf championship, bringing together many of the Southwest’s top professional and amateur golfers to compete in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament for one of the region’s largest purses. Organized by the Sun Country Section PGA of America, the championship has been played annually since 1954 and showcases elite competition while celebrating the game’s tradition and growth throughout the state. Since 2025, the tournament has been hosted at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort under a multi-year agreement.
About Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort
Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort, home of the New Mexico Open, is a premier golf, residential and resort community located in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, just minutes from Elephant Butte Lake. The property features an 18-hole championship golf course, residential neighborhoods, planned resort amenities, and a growing calendar of golf, lifestyle, and community events. As one of southern New Mexico’s premier destination communities, Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort is helping drive tourism, residential investment, and economic growth throughout Sierra County while providing an exceptional experience for golfers, homeowners, visitors, and future resort guests. Learn more: https://www.turtlebackmountaingolfandresort.com/
About Sun Country Section of the PGA of America
The Sun Country Section of the PGA of America serves more than 300 PGA of America Golf Professionals across New Mexico and West Texas. Through professional education, tournament administration, and community outreach, the Section supports the growth of the game while promoting excellence in golf instruction, player advancement, and facility operations. The Section conducts championships and qualifying events, develops junior and recreational golf programs, and works with golf facilities, industry partners, and local communities to expand participation and strengthen the game throughout the region. For more information, visit SunCountryGolf.com.
About New Mexico True
New Mexico True is the official tourism brand of the New Mexico Tourism Department, created to promote the state as a premier travel destination for visitors seeking authentic experiences, outdoor adventure, rich culture and warm hospitality. Built around the promise of “Adventure Steeped in Culture,” New Mexico True showcases the people, landscapes, traditions, communities and experiences that make New Mexico the Land of Enchantment.
About Gopher Hole Productions
Gopher Hole Productions, LLC is an artificial intelligence, media, entertainment and technology company that develops AI-powered personalities and original intellectual property to create next-generation fan experiences for the sports and entertainment industries. Through emerging AI technologies, innovative storytelling, real-time content creation and human interaction, the company creates and commercializes proprietary content for streaming services, digital platforms, social media and broadcast networks. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Gopher Hole Productions is the creator of X-treme Golf™ on YouTube, and Duff Foreman™, an artificial intelligence personality designed for extreme golf adventures, live sports broadcasting and interactive fan engagement.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
