Granbury, Texas, December 4, 2025
Biotech leader David D. Halbert has announced the first Abilene Christian Intercollegiate golf tournament, taking place at his private Halbert National golf course. The event will occur over three days and will feature men’s and women’s collegiate teams from various universities, all competing in stroke play. The tournament will be broadcasted live on the Golf Channel and will honor former ACU standout Johnny Perkins, making it a significant event for collegiate golf and the community.
Abilene, Texas – Biotech billionaire David D. Halbert has announced that his private golf course, Halbert National, will host the inaugural Abilene Christian Intercollegiate tournament from October 19-21, 2026. This three-day event will feature nine men’s and nine women’s collegiate golf teams competing in three rounds of stroke play.
Halbert National, located in Granbury, Texas, is a private 18-hole golf course designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio. The course spans 170 acres along Lake Granbury and opened in 2025. It is owned by Halbert, an Abilene native and alumnus of Abilene Christian University (ACU).
The tournament will receive national exposure as it will be televised live on the Golf Channel. Early commitments for women’s teams include the University of Oregon, Baylor University, and Purdue University, while the men’s teams include Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, and Texas A&M University.
This inaugural event will honor the late Johnny Perkins, a standout wide receiver at ACU from 1974-76, who became the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards and earned All-American honors. Perkins later played seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants.
Halbert expressed enthusiasm for hosting the tournament, emphasizing its significance in uniting the innovative spirit of Caris Life Sciences with his ACU heritage, while also celebrating his friend and ACU classmate, Johnny Perkins. The partnership between ACU, Golf Channel, and HNS Sports Group aims to establish the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate as a premier event in collegiate golf, highlighting the excellence of student-athletes and collaboration between the university and Halbert National.
Key Features of the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate
- Location: Halbert National, Granbury, Texas
- Dates: October 19-21, 2026
- Format: Three rounds of stroke play
- Teams: Nine men’s and nine women’s collegiate teams
- Broadcast: Live on Golf Channel
- Honoree: Johnny Perkins, former ACU standout wide receiver
FAQ
What is the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate?
The Abilene Christian Intercollegiate is an inaugural collegiate golf tournament hosted at Halbert National in Granbury, Texas.
When will the tournament take place?
The tournament will take place from October 19-21, 2026.
How many teams will participate?
The tournament will feature nine men’s and nine women’s collegiate golf teams.
Will the event be televised?
Yes, the tournament will be televised live on the Golf Channel.
Who does the event honor?
The event honors the late Johnny Perkins, a standout wide receiver at ACU.
| Key Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Halbert National, Granbury, Texas |
| Dates | October 19-21, 2026 |
| Format | Three rounds of stroke play |
| Teams | Nine men’s and nine women’s collegiate teams |
| Broadcast | Live on Golf Channel |
| Honoree | Johnny Perkins, former ACU standout wide receiver |
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Inaugural Abilene Christian Intercollegiate Golf Tournament Announced
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