As assistant tournament director for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Presented by United Leasing & Finance, Harris orchestrates this high-stakes finale from inside the ropes. The championship has found a new home at French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course after five years at Victoria National Golf Club.
Behind the Ropes: An Inside Look at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship with Assistant Tournament Director Dustin Harris originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Dustin Harris watches 75 golfers chase 20 dreams. That's the brutal math of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, where PGA Tour cards have been slashed from 30 to 20. Every putt matters. Every swing carries years of sacrifice.
As assistant tournament director for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Presented by United Leasing & Finance, Harris orchestrates this high-stakes finale from inside the ropes. The championship has found a new home at French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course after five years at Victoria National Golf Club. Harris opens up about the move, the pressure and the unforgettable moments that make his job one of golf's most rewarding.
A New Chapter at French Lick Resort
Victoria National served the championship well for five years. But French Lick Resort offered something different and special.
"French Lick Resort and the Pete Dye course just offers something completely different than Victoria National," Harris explains. "It's visually stunning, has a ton of character and really forces the players to think on every shot. After our time at Victoria National, moving here brings a fresh challenge and new energy."
The Pete Dye Course punishes mistakes. Carved into Indiana's dramatic elevation changes, it stretches 7,242 yards with narrow fairways and strategic bunkering. Pete Dye's signature design demands precision.
"The layout is physically demanding, and the elevation changes test every part of a player's game," Harris notes. "I think the majority of the players enjoyed the course in 2024, at least 30 of them did." He laughs, referencing the players who earned PGA Tour cards.
French Lick Resort elevated the entire experience beyond golf. Fans and sponsors embraced the amenities and atmosphere. The setting transformed what was already golf's most consequential developmental tournament into something grander.
"What I think was really enjoyable was the atmosphere," Harris reflects. "The fans and sponsors enjoyed the Resort, its amenities and all the excitement that comes with the Tour Championship. French Lick Resort has really elevated the entire championship experience for everyone."
The Pressure Cooker
Thirty cards became 20. That 33% reduction changed everything.
"It's actually 20 cards being awarded at the end of this year's season, instead of 30 from last fall," Harris clarifies. "Every single shot matters, and the margin for error is paper-thin."
The pressure builds daily. Harris sees it in players' faces, their body language, their practice routines.
"From my side of the ropes, I get to see the grit and determination on the players' faces. I can see the urgency in their demeanor build as the week goes on. The players know what is at stake, and it changes the whole dynamic of the week. Players spend more time on the range, they are really locked in when they step foot on this course."
Regular-season tournaments offer second chances. The Tour Championship doesn't. For many players, it's their final shot at the PGA Tour. That reality creates electric tension.
"It's that competitive energy that is going to make for an incredible finish," Harris notes.
Operational Challenges
The Pete Dye Course tests players. It also tests Harris and his operational team.
Elevation changes create transportation nightmares. The sprawling resort property complicates spectator positioning. Hospitality areas must be strategically placed. Every logistical decision impacts the championship experience.
"It most certainly comes with its own set of challenges," Harris acknowledges. "The elevation change, the wide-open layout and the size of the property mean that we have to be very strategic with everything from player transportation to where we position spectators and hospitality."
Success requires teamwork. Harris coordinates with rules officials, resort staff and multiple vendors to create seamless operations.
"Our team works closely with rules officials and resort staff to make sure that we have the right infrastructure in place so that everyone on site has a seamless experience," Harris notes.
The complexity doesn't deter Harris. Great venues demand great effort.
"It's a big job, but the kind of venue that makes the effort worth it," he reflects.
Weather and Contingencies
October in Indiana brings unpredictability. Harris plans for every scenario.
The 2016 championship, scheduled to be played in Atlantic Beach, Florida, was canceled because of Hurricane Matthew. That experience taught valuable lessons about preparation and communication.
"October in Indiana can be unpredictable, so we have detailed contingency plans in place well before tournament week," Harris explains. "We work closely with the on-site meteorologist to track conditions in real time."
When weather strikes, communication becomes critical. Players, caddies, sponsors and fans need timely updates through multiple channels.
"Communication is huge ... players, caddies, sponsors and fans all get timely updates through scoreboard communication and on-course announcements," Harris emphasizes. "The goal is always to keep everyone safe while making sure we can play as much golf as possible."
Dreams and Heartbreak
Harris gets to know players throughout the season. He sees their struggles, their families, their sacrifices. The championship becomes deeply personal.
"It's always getting to see the emotion, the celebration, sometimes tears, of these players when they earn their PGA Tour card at our event. You know the years of work and sacrifice that went into that moment. It's impossible not to get caught up in it," Harris reflects.
"Getting to know players, and caddies too, on a personal level, and then getting to be there for one of the most memorable experiences of their life is the best part about my job."
One story exemplifies the tournament's emotional power: Justin Lower's redemption arc.
In 2020, Lower needed to get up and down from a bunker on the 72nd hole for the final PGA Tour card. He failed. Heartbreak.
"Failing to get up and down on the 72nd hole in 2020 cost him the last spot for his tour card," Harris recounts.
2021 brought an almost impossible coincidence. Same bunker. Same hole. Same situation.
"Fast Forward to 2021, Justin Lower — same bunker, same hole, same situation — makes the up and down and goes on to the PGA Tour."
Golf offers few perfect redemption stories. Lower's ranks among the best.
"Redemption in golf isn't about erasing the past, but about proving to yourself that you can rise above it," Harris reflects. "Every player on this tour has faced setbacks, and the Tour Championship is their chance to turn those into defining moments."
A Personal Milestone
Tournament week 2024 gave Harris his own defining moment. He proposed to his girlfriend at the Pete Dye Course.
Professional passion met personal happiness at the venue that has become central to his career. The proposal created a memory that will forever link Harris to the championship in the most personal way possible.
The Future
The partnership with French Lick Resort runs through 2028, providing stability for long-term planning. Harris and his team constantly seek improvements while preserving the championship's essential character.
The reduction to 20 PGA Tour cards has intensified the tournament's significance. Every shot carries more weight. Every player feels more pressure. The margin for error has disappeared.
For 75 players, the championship offers one final opportunity to reach golf's highest level. For 20 of them, it will launch new careers. For 55 others, it means another year of grinding on the Korn Ferry Tour or worse.
The transformation from setback to triumph defines what makes this championship special. Harris and his team understand their role extends beyond logistics. They create an environment where life-changing stories unfold with proper dignity and significance.
"Being able to create this environment so that players and their families can soak it all in, because for many of them, this is the biggest week of their careers," captures why the Korn Ferry Tour Championship matters.
Harris plays a crucial role in golf's most consequential proving ground. Dreams get realized. Careers get launched. The future of professional golf gets determined. Under his stewardship, the championship will continue serving as the ultimate test where golf's next generation of stars emerges while honoring everyone who competes.
The Korn Ferry Tour Championship transcends typical tournament boundaries. It represents opportunity, redemption and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines professional golf at its core.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
