SAS Championship adds AI fan app Fairway Forecast for 2026 golf week

October 5, 2026, 14:03Source: PR Newswire

The 2026 SAS Championship returns to Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina, on Oct. 12-18, and this year fans get Fairway Forecast, a mobile web app built by SAS that uses analytics and AI to explore player and tournament data. The week also includes the return of Fairway to Fun, an AI experience zone for families, and several community programs.

Key points

The 2026 SAS Championship runs Oct. 12-18 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina.
SAS introduces Fairway Forecast, a mobile web app with AI chat, live results, the SAS Index and predictions for holes 17 and 18.
Fairway to Fun on Oct. 16 features an AI experience zone and a free one-week YMCA pass for families who complete the course.
SAS gives $220,000 for the 2026 event to the YMCA's Y Learning Intervention program; more than $6 million has gone to YMCA of the Triangle programs overall.
The HBCU Invitational offers $30,000 in honoraria, and SAS contributes $30,000 to Folds of Honor.

Fairway Forecast brings AI to fans

New this year is Fairway Forecast, a mobile web application developed by SAS. According to the company, it is powered by SAS analytics and AI and offers player insights, tournament trends and an interactive chat feature that lets fans explore competition data in real time.

Visitors can follow live results, look at the SAS Index, which SAS describes as a proprietary analytics rating that measures projected player competitiveness, and make predictions on holes 17 and 18 to compete for prizes and leaderboard recognition. Fans can join by scanning the Fairway Forecast QR code at the tournament or through official SAS Championship channels.

Fairway to Fun puts AI in front of families

Fairway to Fun returns on Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The family event brings back an AI experience zone with hands-on activities and giveaways. Every family that completes the course receives a free one-week YMCA membership pass.

Local food vendors will be on site, among them BareBakedPizza, Big Mike's BBQ, BO's Kitchen, Cousins Maine Lobster, Holy Fries, MoMoMandu and Two Roosters. The evening ends with a fireworks finale.

Jenn Chase, SAS Chief Marketing Officer, said Fairway to Fun helps "students and families explore AI, data and emerging technologies in hands-on, engaging ways." She also noted that SAS is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Community programs and charitable giving

The tournament is part of the PGA Tour Champions circuit, and the YMCA of the Triangle is its host charity. This year's community initiative again focuses on the YMCA Annual Campaign, helping to fund its STEM programs. According to SAS, the Championship and its fans have helped direct more than $6 million to youth education and community programs through the YMCA of the Triangle, including the Y Learning Intervention program. SAS's annual donation to that program is $220,000 for the 2026 event.

Other programs this year include:

HBCU Invitational (Oct. 17-18): In its fifth year, it welcomes 15 teams from 12 historically Black colleges and universities competing for $30,000 in honoraria from SAS for their golf programs. Students also attend a Career Day on Oct. 16 at SAS headquarters in Cary.
Women's Day (Oct. 13): The 13th annual event offers sessions on health, mindset and leadership under the theme "Redefining Luck."
Folds of Honor Friday (Oct. 16): A tribute to service members and first responders with ceremonies, patriotic displays and 13 scholarships for local students. SAS also contributes $30,000 to Folds of Honor.

The week also features a 5K road race and Food Truck Friday.

What it means for fans and the region

For attendees, the main change is a data and AI tool they can use during play, alongside the hands-on AI activities aimed at younger visitors. SAS says the Championship reflects its role as a business and community partner in Cary and across the Triangle. Kim Keith, Vice President of Youth Development and Operations at YMCA of the Triangle, called the tournament "a powerful force for good across our community." Tickets are available now, according to SAS.