ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A historic commercial district devastated by Helene hosted its first public event since the storm: A 100-Foot Putt Challenge in Biltmore Village.

“Helene impacted all of us, obviously, and the village really took a beating, so having an event like this along with Explore Asheville and the Biltmore Championship really helps this area,” said Asheville resident Dan Rogers, who won the challenge.

“Since the hurricane, with all the businesses lost, it was a good cause,” said Paul Fochesato, the first runner-up in the challenge.

Many people took a swing in this challenge, including Dean Sarah Hurlbert with the Cathedral of All Souls, a historic church in Biltmore Village that was flooded by Helene.

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“Open the doors and see all the pews and prayer books and Bibles and everything scattered all over the place and the mud and the silt everywhere; it was truly devastating,” Hurlbert said.

According to organizers, this 100-foot putt challenge is Biltmore Village’s first event since Helene.

“It feels like there’s life back in the village, and it is so wonderful to see people out and enjoying themselves and having a good time,” said Kara Irani, executive director of the Historic Biltmore Village Association.

Irani says this event is a milestone in the neighborhood’s recovery. She says they wanted to see 50% of the businesses return before holding events again, and they achieved that last year.

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Irani says this event was inspired by the PGA TOUR Tournament that’s coming to town.

“It is so significant for us to have a national event come to our area so that people can really see how far we have come,” Irani said.

The proceeds of the 100-Foot Putt Challenge went to a Biltmore Village staple that hasn’t recovered yet.

“They said, and we want all of the proceeds to go to the rebuilding of the cathedral, and it just blew me away,” said Hurlbert.

Organizers say they plan to do the 100-Foot Putt Challenge annually even beyond the city’s four-year agreement with PGA TOUR.