The PGA of America will keep the 2017 PGA Championship in Charlotte despite its objection to North Carolina House Bill 2, which limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people in the state.
The tournament will be held at Quail Hollow Club.
"The PGA of America strongly opposes North Carolina HB2. It contradicts our commitment to create an inclusive and welcoming environment at our events. We remain hopeful that the law will be changed," the organization said in a written statement.
"Since the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is a private facility not subject to all of the provisions of HB2, at the 2017 PGA Championship we plan to allow spectators to use the restroom that conforms with their gender identity or gender expression," the statement said. "As we look to future events, our willingness to consider coming back to the State of North Carolina will be severely impacted unless HB2 is overturned."
The controversy swirling around HB2 has already impacted the planning of another major sporting event in the state. On Thursday, the NBA decided to move the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte without announcing an alternate venue, citing its objection to the legislation.
The bill, also called The Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, which was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Pat McCrory, requires transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates. It applies only to bathrooms in government buildings, public schools and public universities.
Private companies are allowed to implement any policy they choose.
A provision of the original bill also excluded gender identity and sexual orientation from statewide anti-discrimination protections. McCrory recently signed legislation that restored the state's original non-discrimination protections removed by HB2.