Fresh renderings: Wells Fargo Championship ushers in its elevated era

What’s happening: The spring golf tournament, which runs May 1-7 at Quail Hollow Club (3700 Gleneagles Road) is stepping up its game after hosting the Presidents Cup last September, with changes coming to the main gate and the first tee.

Why it matters: The Wells Fargo Championship and Presidents Cup aren’t just tournaments that happen at a swanky south Charlotte country club anymore. These events put Charlotte on the world’s stage, says Johnny Harris, president of Quail Hollow Club and a prominent Charlotte developer.

Details: The organizers are trying to replicate the first tee from the Presidents Cup, in terms of its size. Expect a public grandstand, a new venue called the One Bird Club and the Wells Fargo customer lounge. The latter will be open to all Wells Fargo customers.

• There will also be a new 720-square-foot video board on the back of the public grandstand.

The area has an Instagramable look as you enter the main gate, with a replica Wells Fargo Championship trophy in the middle of the fountain near the entrance. 

• Next to the merchandise tent, there will be a small business market featuring nine local businesses, including to-be-announced restaurant groups and golf outfitters.
• A new entrance and an additional building will overlook the 11th green.

• The Green Mile Club will be redesigned and will offer more tables and seating.
• They’re also adding a celebrity putting challenge on Monday, May 1.

QC Village, near the dam, will be open to the public and include the Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge and the Michelob Ultra Bar.

Fan Village: You can test your game with a chipping challenge at the Fan Village.

The big picture: The Wells Fargo Championship is one of 13 elevated PGA Tour events, as Axios’ Jeff Tracy reported. The purse increased from $9 million to $20 million.

• The PGA Tour upped the purse to compete with the controversial LIV Tour that lured several golfers away with the promise of more money.