Category Archives: Featured
United States Seeks Fourth Consecutive Women’s PGA Cup
CHESTER, England – This week’s Women’s PGA Cup will present a new challenge for the United States Team: competing overseas for the first time.
The five PGA of America Golf Professionals representing the United States will travel to Chester, England, this week to compete in the Women’s PGA Cup, September 3-5, at Carden Park Golf Resort.
The U.S. Team is led by playing captain Ashley Grier (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) and includes Sandra Changkija (Daytona Beach, Fla.), Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth (Fleming Island, Fla.), Allie Knight (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Kim Paez (Frisco, Texas).
This is the fourth playing of the Women’s PGA Cup, a biennial international team competition, and the first to be contested outside of the United States. The 2026 edition features teams of women PGA Professionals from the United States, Australia, Canada, Great Britain & Ireland, South Africa and Sweden. The teams will compete in a 54-hole stroke play format on Carden Park’s Cheshire course. The low three of five scores per team count toward the team total per round.
Grier, who has represented the U.S. in every edition of the Women’s PGA Cup, is eager for the opportunity to compete in England.
“We get two practice rounds so we will have plenty of time to assess and get a feel for the golf course,” said Grier. “Playing the practice rounds together as a team really helps as you can discuss with each other the best strategy for each hole. Sometimes you get a better perspective on the smartest way to play a hole when you can talk it out with the other players.”
All but one of the U.S. Team Members have previous Women’s PGA Cup experience. Connelly Eiswerth will be playing in her third consecutive Women’s PGA Cup, while Changkija and Knight will play for the second time following their 2024 debuts.
“I am so honored to be the playing captain this year,” said Grier. “Our team is stacked with talent and drive, which is a dangerous combination. We have multiple National and Section Players of the Year on the team, every one of us has played in multiple major championships and four of the five of us have played in previous Women’s PGA Cups so we know what to expect and what we have to do to take home another victory.”
Paez, the PGA Player Development Manager for PING Golf, is the team’s lone rookie. The Northern Texas PGA Member closely tracked the standings throughout the qualification process, “calculating all the points” as she pursued her spot on the U.S. Team.
“I mapped it out to make sure that I made it on the team this time around,” said Paez. “I’ve never actually participated in an event where I can represent our country. That’s something I take a lot of pride in. Golf is an individual sport, but to be back in a team setting I think that is so fun. I really enjoyed my college years, representing our school and the whole camaraderie that comes along with it. To have that chance of being a part of a team, and especially with these girls that I’ve grown to know and develop friendships with, it’s going to be a fun time and a new experience for all of us.”
Connelly Eiswerth, a PGA Teaching Professional at San Jose Country Club, returns following a dominant performance in 2024 at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. She shot 6-under 207 for the week to earn Brittany Kelly Medalist Honors.
“It’s truly the best week,” said Connelly Eiswerth. “It does not get old being able to have the opportunity to be out there and play and to make the Cup. It’s a big-time change. It’s different conditions. But it’s also really exciting because we get to go somewhere new. Everybody’s games are a little bit different, so we’ll let everybody do their preparation, enjoy our time together and push each other a little bit to be ready to go and cheer each other on, as well.”
The Americans will compete for their fourth consecutive Women’s PGA Cup victory following a dominant 12-stroke triumph over runner-up Canada in 2024 at Sunriver Resort. The U.S. captured a two-stroke win over Canada in 2022 at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. The inaugural Women’s PGA Cup was played in 2019 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, where the U.S. Team clinched a four-stroke victory over runner-up Canada.
2026 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team
Sandra Changkija (Daytona Beach, Fla.) – Sugar Mill Country Club, North Florida Section
Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth (Fleming Island, Fla.) – San Jose Country Club, North Florida Section
Ashley Grier (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) – The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club – South Florida Section
Allie Knight (Knoxville, Tenn.) – Fairways and Greens Golf Center – Tennessee Section
Kim Paez (Frisco, Texas) – Ping Golf – Northern Texas Section
The U.S. Team was determined through a two-year point system, which included the 2025-26 Women’s Stroke Play Championship (Championship Division), the 2025-26 LPGA Professionals Championship and the final money lists of the 2024-25 PGA Tournament Series. Any PGA Member who made the cut at the 2025-26 KPMG Women’s PGA Championships, 2025-26 U.S. Women’s Opens or the 2025-26 PGA Professional Championships also earned points. Additionally, a weighted PGA Section points system was used to award points.
Women’s PGA Cup Schedule (All times listed BST):
Thursday, Sept. 3 1st Round of Play 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (11 min. int.) #1 Tee Cheshire Golf Course
Friday, Sept. 4 2nd Round of Play 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (11 min. int.) #1 Tee Cheshire Golf Course
Saturday, Sept. 5 Final Round of Play 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (11 min. int.) #1 Tee Cheshire Golf Course
Dunning is the official outfitter for the 2026 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team.
Trackman is a supplier for the 2026 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team.
For additional information on the Women’s PGA Cup, visit here.
USGA Renews IDEA Grant Funding to First Tee Chapters for Fifth Straight Year
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – The USGA is reinforcing its commitment to broadening golf’s reach with a new round of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) grants awarded to 26 First Tee chapters across the United States. The funding supports local programs that introduce young people to golf while intentionally instilling the game’s values, like honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
Since the grant program launched in 2021, the USGA has provided 155 grants totaling more than $1 million. These investments are designed to help First Tee chapters expand their impact in communities that have historically had limited access to the sport, creating more opportunities for youth to learn, play and grow through golf.
“Partnering with First Tee is central to the USGA’s mission to advance golf across all communities,” said the USGA CEO Mike Whan. “The initiatives led by local chapters this year demonstrate how the game can serve as a powerful catalyst for teaching young people valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the golf course.”
“We are grateful for the USGA’s continued investment in First Tee chapters and the young people they serve,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Through partnerships like this one, we are able to reach more kids in more communities, giving them access, not just to play the game, but to tools that will help them navigate life with confidence and character. That is the heart of what First Tee is all about.”
Among the First Tee chapters receiving IDEA grants this year, some notable programs that will benefit from the funds are below:
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Full List of First Tee Chapters Receiving 2026 IDEA Grants |
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| First Tee – Birmingham | First Tee – Hawaii |
| First Tee – Central Ohio | First Tee – Lake Erie |
| First Tee – Coachella Valley | First Tee – Los Angeles |
| First Tee – Eastern Michigan | First Tee – Metropolitan New York |
| First Tee – Four Corners | First Tee – Middle Georgia |
| First Tee – Greater Baltimore | First Tee – Orange County |
| First Tee – Greater Charleston | First Tee – Oregon |
| First Tee – Greater Chicago | First Tee – Phoenix |
| First Tee – Greater Detroit | First Tee – Piney Woods (Texas) |
| First Tee – Greater Philadelphia | First Tee – Raritan Valley (New Jersey) |
| First Tee – Greater Richmond | First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico |
| First Tee – Greater Seattle | First Tee – Triad (North Carolina) |
| First Tee – Greater Washington, DC | First Tee – West Michigan |
As a founding partner of First Tee, the USGA contributes $200,000 each year to grassroots initiatives focused on youth development. This ongoing support helps chapters remove common barriers to participation, such as cost and access, ensuring more young people can experience the game and the life skills it promotes.
As part of an organizational commitment to ensure the game continues to thrive for generations to come, the USGA annually invests more than $10 million into junior golf programs, including First Tee, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, Drive, Chip & Putt, and the AJGA, as well as the U.S. National Development Program, which serves as a developmental pipeline for the nation’s most talented youth.
Senators Press for Answers on Trump’s DC Golf Course Takeover
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), pressed the Trump Administration for detailed answers to a series of questions on the Department of the Interior’s plans for East Potomac Park redevelopment, citing concerns about impacts on public access and affordability, historic preservation, misuse of taxpayer funds, and environmental and public health. The Senator’s letter comes after public reporting and the Administration’s social media announcements of new plans for the park – which have yet to be detailed to the public – and follows up on a previous unanswered letter from the Senators earlier this year.
“We write to follow up on our letter from January 26, 2026 that raised serious concerns regarding the Administration’s termination of the lease held by the National Links Trust (NLT) for operation of East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf Course. More than five months have passed since this letter was sent to you, and we have yet to receive a response. At an April Senate Appropriations hearing, Secretary Burgum acknowledged that he had not seen the letter, but assured Senator Van Hollen that the Department would respond. In the interim, the Administration has continued to advance plans for these courses, including Secretary Burgum’s announcement on social media of a renovation design by Fazio Design for East Potomac Golf Links, without any disclosure to the public or to Congress of the scope, cost, or basis on which that engagement was awarded. The absence of any reply is itself troubling, and recent developments have made our concerns considerably more urgent,” the Senators begin.
On the National Park Service’s plans for East Potomac redevelopment and the lack of transparency, the Senators wrote, “the only detail provided was a low-resolution image of the proposed course, leaving the public and Congress entirely in the dark about the scope of the redevelopment, including to what extent redevelopment will ensure continued public access to the waterfront, address existing infrastructure issues on Hains Point, and protect important artifacts such as the historic cherry trees on the White Course – the oldest grove of Japanese cherry trees in D.C..”
On Trump’s visit to East Potomac Golf Links on June 28, 2026, the Senators wrote, “Following that visit, the President announced on social media that work on East Potomac would begin on September 1, 2026, described the course as severely neglected, and stated that the redesigned course could host major professional golf tournaments. These photos and statements seem to illustrate the Administration’s plans for East Potomac Park, yet the Department has still not provided Congress or the public with basic details about the scope of the project, the funding source, the expected period of closure or disruption, the effect on current users, or how such an accelerated timeline can be reconciled with applicable environmental, historic-preservation, procurement, and public-engagement requirements.”
The Senators go on to request answers to the following questions:
<![if !supportLists]>1. <![endif]>How will the Department ensure that course fees and access at East Potomac Golf Links remain genuinely affordable for the communities that have depended on these public courses for nearly a century? Does the Department anticipate that course fees will increase or that the annual number of publicly available rounds of golf will decrease, as compared to when the course was managed by National Links Trust? If so, please provide estimates of the expected changes in cost and availability.
<![if !supportLists]>2. <![endif]>How will the Department ensure continued access for the bikers, walkers, runners, and recreational fishermen that utilize the popular waterfront Hains Point Loop Trail at East Potomac Park?
<![if !supportLists]>3. <![endif]>What assessment has been made of potential health risks to golfers, course employees, youth program participants, and the surrounding environment at East Potomac Park, including the Potomac River?
<![if !supportLists]>4. <![endif]>What plans are in place to remediate hazardous substances identified in the debris pile, what is the expected timeline for remediation actions, and who will bear the cost of these cleanup efforts?
<![if !supportLists]>5. <![endif]>How does the Department intend to ensure compliance with all applicable federal environmental and public health laws, including any requirements for environmental assessment?
<![if !supportLists]>6. <![endif]>Does the Department intend to rebuild the seawall before starting broader redevelopment at East Potomac Golf Links? How does the Department intend to fund the full scope of redevelopment, including seawall reconstruction? Will this be financed through federal appropriations, private donations, or some combination thereof, and has Congress been consulted about any use of taxpayer funds?
<![if !supportLists]>7. <![endif]>What steps is the Department taking to protect the historic cherry trees on the White Course at East Potomac Golf Links, reportedly among the last surviving trees from the original 1910 gift from Japan, from any planned redevelopment or restoration work? How will the Department protect cherry trees along the waterfront at East Potomac Park?
<![if !supportLists]>8. <![endif]>East Potomac Park serves a wide range of users beyond golfers, including runners, cyclists, tennis players, fishermen, and families who rely on its open spaces and waterfront access. What assurances can the Department provide that the planned redevelopment will preserve access to these public spaces?
“The municipal golf courses of Washington, D.C. are public assets with deep historical, recreational, and community value. Decisions affecting their future, and the health and safety of those who use them, must be guided by law, transparency, and fidelity to the public trust. The Administration’s failure to respond to the questions posed in the January letter, combined with the significant new developments outlined above, compels us to seek answers with greater urgency,” the lawmakers concluded.
Full text of the letter is available here.
Bob Buck Named Inaugural McGraw Family Award Recipient
The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced today that Bob Buck of Bethlehem, Pa., has been named the recipient of its newest honor – the McGraw Family Award – created to recognize an individual who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to expanding opportunities in golf for those with disabilities.
The award, part of a multi-year commitment from the Harold McGraw III Foundation to support the U.S. Adaptive Open, will be presented annually to honor those who have had a meaningful impact on the adaptive golf community through advocacy, outreach, programming, partnership and service, while demonstrating strong character and integrity. The award was presented to Buck Saturday night at the 5th U.S. Adaptive Open players’ dinner at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
“The support of the Harold McGraw III Foundation and the McGraw Family enables us to continue elevating the U.S. Adaptive Open and recognize someone who has given so much to adaptive golf through the McGraw Family Award,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “There is no more deserving recipient than Bob Buck, whose contributions over several decades have been profound, and whose unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for adaptive golfers at every level has left a lasting impact that is truly worth celebrating.”
Buck, a below-knee amputee since 1970, established the Eastern Amputee Golf Association (EAGA) in 1986 to raise awareness for golfers with disabilities through competitions and clinics. In the years since, the EAGA has grown into one of the largest organizations in the country dedicated to grassroots adaptive golf programming.
From supporting wounded veterans and others through instructional classes to chairing the accessibility efforts at the 2000 U.S. Senior Open – the first USGA championship to offer scooter and wheelchair viewing in the stands – Buck’s contributions have created opportunities for countless individuals. A talented player, he won more than 24 EAGA events, while also claiming multiple regional titles and competing both nationally and internationally in adaptive golf events.
“I’m beyond humbled to be the first recipient of this award,” said Buck. “This has been a passion of mine for more years than I can count, and to be recognized this way honestly leaves me speechless.”
JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE USGA, THE R&A, PGA TOUR AND DP WORLD TOUR
- Feedback from the industry on the Notice and Comment related to the date of implementation of the updated ODS testing approach indicated that the majority support a single-date implementation (2030) versus a two-date, phased implementation (2028 and 2030).
- Constructive discussions between the governing bodies, PGA TOUR leadership, the PGA TOUR Player Advisory Council (PAC), DP World Tour leadership and other stakeholders yielded three key outcomes: (a) recognition that distance continues to increase at the elite level; (b) a concern by the Tours that the updated ODS testing approach may not achieve the desired results; (c) a collective willingness to reconsider alternative approaches that may more materially impact the pace of future distance increases, while minimizing disruption to the overall golf market.
15 Champions Among 10,201 Entries for 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
Defending champion J.J. Spaun and everyone in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking® are among the 10,201 entries that were accepted by the USGA for the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, in Southampton, N.Y. The U.S. Open will be contested at the historic venue for a sixth time from June 18-21.
This is the fifth time in championship history that the number of entries has exceeded 10,000. The 2026 total came within one entry of matching the previous record set in 2025, when 10,202 entries were accepted for the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. This year, entries were accepted from golfers in all 50 states, including 390 from host state New York, as well as Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the United States Armed Forces and 49 foreign countries.
“The USGA is proud to return to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, one of the cathedrals of the game and a founding member club of the USGA,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer. “The U.S. Open’s two-stage qualifying process provides thousands of professional and amateur golfers worldwide an opportunity to earn their spot in the field. There continues to be tremendous interest in competing in our national championship as we nearly set another record with entries.”
Spaun, of Los Angeles, Calif., posted a two-stroke victory over Robert MacIntyre at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club last June, including an unforgettable 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to secure his first major victory. Spaun, now 10th in the OWGR®, leads a total of 51 players who are currently exempt from qualifying.
Nine other U.S. Open champions are fully exempt: Bryson DeChambeau (2020, 2024), Wyndham Clark (2023), Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), Jon Rahm (2021), Gary Woodland (2019), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Dustin Johnson (2016), Justin Rose (2013) and Rory McIlroy (2011). Koepka won the U.S. Open the last time it was contested at Shinnecock Hills.
Scottie Scheffler, who is No. 1 in the OWGR® and a four-time major champion, will be going for the career Grand Slam. The 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur champion will compete in his ninth U.S. Open, with his highest finish coming in 2022 when he was co-runner-up with fellow U.S. Junior Amateur champion Will Zalatoris at The Country Club, in Brookline, Mass. McIlroy, No. 2 in the OWGR®, became the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam last April at The Masters Tournament and on Sunday he joined three others to successfully defend their Masters title. The 2011 U.S. Open champion will be making his 18th U.S. Open start, having finished inside the top 10 in six of his last seven starts.
Cameron Young, up to No. 3 in the OWGR®, will return to his native New York to make his seventh U.S. Open start. Young, of Scarborough, N.Y., won this year’s Players Championship, and enjoyed his best U.S. Open finish last year at Oakmont C.C. with his tie for fourth.
For those not fully exempt, local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 43 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled between April 20-May 18. Those advancing players will join a group of locally exempt competitors in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes at 13 sites. Final qualifying will be held in England (May 18), Japan (May 25) and Canada (June 8) as well as 10 U.S. sites, one on May 18, and the remaining nine on June 8, known across the industry as “Golf’s Longest Day,” which will receive 10 hours of live coverage on Golf Channel.
Five U.S. Open champions – Jordan Spieth (2015), Webb Simpson (2012), Graeme McDowell (2010), Lucas Glover (2009) and Geoff Ogilvy (2006) – have registered for the championship and are among the 477 players exempt into final qualifying. McDowell is scheduled to play in the Dallas final qualifier on May 18. Spieth and Glover (Westerville, Ohio), Simpson (Ball Ground, Ga.), and Ogilvy (Sacramento, Calif.) will all attempt to qualify on June 8.
To be eligible, one must be an amateur with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 0.4 or be a professional. Jonathan Kaplan, an amateur from Powell, Ohio, was the first entry on Feb. 18. Clark Van Gaalen, from Turlock, Calif., submitted his entry 61 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on April 8.
The championship’s youngest entry is Niko Ameredes, a 13-year-old from Chino, Calif., who is a two-time Drive, Chip & Putt national finalist. The oldest entrant is Mike Caporale, a 71-year-old who is the head PGA professional at North Hills Country Club, in Manhasset, N.Y., approximately 70 miles from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
The number of fully exempt players will increase with the inclusion of the top 60 point leaders and ties from the OWGR®, as of May 18 and June 15. The winner of the PGA Championship (May 14-17) and any multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup will also earn exemptions. Also, the top five players in the 2026 FedExCup Standings as of May 18 who are not otherwise exempt will secure a place in the field.
Additionally, U.S. Open exemptions will be awarded to the top player from the DP World Tour’s 2026 Race to Dubai Rankings, who is not otherwise exempt, as of May 18, and the top player, not otherwise exempt, in the top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf individual standings. Other exemptions determined May 18 from 2025 standings include the top two players from the final 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings, not otherwise exempt, and the top player from the top three of the final 2025 LIV Golf individual standings who is not otherwise exempt. The winner of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Golf Championship (must be an amateur) will also earn a spot in the field. That 72-hole event will conclude on June 3 in Carlsbad, Calif.
The U.S. Open was previously contested at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in 1896 (James Foulis), 1986 (Raymond Floyd),1995 (Corey Pavin), 2004 (Retief Goosen) and 2018 (Koepka).
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, one of the USGA’s five founding member clubs, is the only venue to host the national championship in three different centuries.
More information on local and final qualifying is available by clicking here.
The list of the 51 players who are fully exempt into the 2026 U.S. Open (as of April 14) can be found by clicking here.
Champions Golf Club Awarded Three USGA Championships
The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that Champions Golf Club, in Houston, Texas, will host the 2029 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, 2034 U.S. Mid-Amateur and 2040 U.S. Senior Open. The trio of championships will mark the sixth, seventh and eighth USGA championships contested at the historic Texas club, the most of any course in the state.
“We are proud to return to Champions Golf Club,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “The club’s rich history and commitment to excellence give us great confidence in extending our decades-long relationship into the 2040s. We look forward to Champions once again delivering an exceptional experience for our players, loyal fans and the Houston community.”
Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by three-time Masters champion Jimmy Demaret and Jack Burke Jr., who was fresh off winning both the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship in 1956. The pair recruited Ralph Plummer to design the Cypress Creek Course, which opened for play in 1959. A major restoration of the Cypress Creek Course, led by Chet Williams, was completed in 2018 ahead of the COVID-19-delayed 2020 U.S. Women’s Open.
Following Demaret’s passing in 1983, Burke remained the club’s majority owner and President until 2021, when ownership and management of the club were transitioned to Jack’s son, Mike Burke, and his grandson, Dean Burke.
Jack Burke Jr., who passed away in 2024 just days shy of his 101st birthday, recorded 16 PGA Tour victories, competed on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000. He also received the USGA’s highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, in 2004.
“Champions Golf Club is honored to host these future USGA championships,” said Mike Burke. “Our club takes pride in offering a true championship test while honoring the game’s traditions. We are grateful for the USGA’s continued trust in the Burke family and look forward to celebrating Jack’s legacy by providing the championship experience and hospitality that define Champions.”
Champions Golf Club last hosted a USGA championship in 2020, when A Lim Kim, of the Republic of Korea, captured the U.S. Women’s Open. After COVID-19 forced the championship to be moved from June to December of that year, Kim overcame a five-stroke final-round deficit, birdieing her final three holes to hoist the Harton S. Semple Trophy.
In the 1969 U.S. Open held at Champions Golf Club, Orville Moody recorded a one-stroke victory over Deane Beman, Al Geiberger and Bob Rosburg, to win the lone major of his career.
In 1993, then-41-year-old John Harris defeated Danny Ellis, 5 and 3, to win the U.S. Amateur at Champions. Harris remains the last mid-amateur to claim the Havemeyer Trophy. The Minnesota native and four-time USA Walker Cup Team member passed away last September after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
The club has also hosted two U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs (1998, 2017). In 2017, Kelsey Chugg rebounded from an opening-round 85 to earn the No. 50 seed in match play before defeating Mary Jane Hiestand, 3 and 1, in the 18-hole championship match. In 1998, Virginia Derby Grimes defeated Robin Weiss, 4 and 3, to earn her lone career USGA title.
The Cypress Creek Course has also hosted the 1967 Ryder Cup, five PGA Tour Championships (1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003) and five Houston Opens from 1966-71.
The state of Texas has hosted 35 overall USGA championships. The 2029 U.S. Senior Women’s Open and 2040 U.S. Senior Open will mark the first time each championship will be played in the Lone Star State. The 2034 U.S. Mid-Amateur will be the fourth contested in the state and the first since 2011 at Shadow Hawk Golf Club, in Richmond, a Houston suburb.
The U.S. Senior Women’s Open is open to professional golfers, and amateurs with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 7.4, who are at least 50 years of age by the start of championship play. The field of 120 players competes in two rounds of stroke play, after which the field is reduced to the low 50 scorers and ties for the final 36 holes. The 2026 championship is scheduled for Barton Hills Country Club, in Ann Arbor, Mich., Aug. 20-23.
The U.S. Senior Open Championship is for golfers 50 and older and open to any professional or amateur with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4. The field of 156 players competes in two rounds of stroke play, after which the field is reduced to the low 60 scorers and ties for the final 36 holes. The 2026 U.S. Senior Open is set to be contested at Scioto Country Club, in Columbus, Ohio, July 2-5.
The U.S. Mid-Amateur is open to any amateur who is 25 years old by the start of the championship with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4. The field of 264 players will compete in two rounds of stroke play, after which the field will be reduced to the low 64 scorers for six rounds of match play. The 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur will be held at Sand Valley Resort (Lido), in Nekoosa, Wis., Sept. 26-Oct.1.
Old Barnwell to Host 2031 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball
The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that Old Barnwell, in Aiken, S.C., will host the 2031 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
“We’re thrilled to bring this championship back to South Carolina and to initiate this partnership with Old Barnwell,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director of championships. “Old Barnwell’s commitment to thoughtful course design, player development and growing the game aligns perfectly with the values of this championship, and we’re confident it will provide an outstanding test for the competitors.”
A par-73 layout, Old Barnwell opened in 2023 and was designed by Brian Schneider and Blake Conant. Set across 575 acres of sandy soil and rolling hills, Schneider and Conant emphasized a blend of strategic, modern golf course design with elements of classical golf course architecture. The club also features a 15-hole kids’ course and plans to open a third course, The Gilroy, in 2027.
“Hosting a USGA championship is a tremendous honor for Old Barnwell, and one that aligns closely with our mission,” said Nick Schreiber, founder of Old Barnwell. “We are proud to welcome this group of players to Aiken and to partner with the USGA in delivering a championship that reflects our values, our community and our commitment to the future of the game.”
Old Barnwell is dedicated to creating programs that empower, invite and celebrate people and communities historically underrepresented in the game of golf. To do this, the club is partnered with organizations such as the ANNIKA Foundation, the Evans Scholars Foundation and local historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Since opening, the club has hosted numerous NCAA events, including the Derby Matchplay hosted by the University of South Carolina, which features eight of the top women’s college teams in the country, and the More Than Golf Invitational, a collaboration with the ANNIKA Foundation that brings together mid-major conference champions each year. In advance of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship, Old Barnwell is set to host NCAA Regionals in 2027 and the Western Women’s Junior Amateur in 2028.
There have been 21 USGA championships contested in the state of South Carolina through the 2025 season. Most recently, Bryan Kim of Brookeville, Md., defeated New Zealander Joshua Bai in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, 2 up, at Daniel Island Club in Charleston. Daniel Island Club will also host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball from May 2-6.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball was last conducted in the Palmetto State in 2017, when Alice Chen and Taylor Totland defeated Sammi Lee and Mary Ellen Shuman, 4 and 3, at Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach. The championship was first conducted in 2015 and is open to female amateur golfers whose handicaps do not exceed 14.4.
A starting field of 64 sides (128 players) play two rounds of stroke play, with the low 32 sides (64 players) advancing to match play. Five 18-hole rounds of match play will determine the champions. The winning side receives an exemption into that year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur, which in 2031 will be held at Baltimore (Md.) Country Club. The champions are also exempt into any other USGA amateur competition for which they are eligible that year.
Future U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Sites:
2026 – Daniel Island Club, Charleston, S.C.
2027 – Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, Va.
2028 – Blessings Golf Club, Johnson, Ark.
2029 – Desert Mountain Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.
2030 – Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.
2031 – Old Barnwell, Aiken, S.C.
2035 – Country Club of York, York, Pa.
2037 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.
Limited Corporate Hospitality Remains for 2027 PGA Championship
FRISCO, Texas. ー Following extraordinary interest since hospitality offerings launched last summer, the PGA of America announced today a limited selection of corporate hospitality packages remain available for the 2027 PGA Championship, scheduled for May 17-23 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco, with some locations already sold out. The current availability follows the release of additional hospitality inventory in response to the unprecedented initial demand.
Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, remaining hospitality experiences include private on-course chalets, premium suites, as well as reserved tables. All on-course venues provide a comfortable, climate-controlled setting with all-inclusive food and beverage service and parking access.
The 2027 PGA Championship marks the 100-year anniversary of Walter Hagen’s historic victory in the 1927 PGA Championship at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas. It also represents the first men’s Major Championship contested in Dallas-Fort Worth in 64 years (1963 PGA Championship won by Jack Nicklaus at Dallas Athletic Club) and the first in the state of Texas in 58 years (1969 U.S. Open at Champions Club in Houston).
Designed by renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse, Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco will host the strongest field in golf for the first time in 2027— its third Major Championship following the 2023 Senior PGA Championship and 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“We are humbled by the tremendous local and regional support since going on-sale, and this response is a great reminder of the magnitude of the historic return of a men’s major to North Texas,” said Jason Mengel, Championship Director. “We encourage those interested in hospitality to act quickly as we are down to single-digit availability across multiple locations, and larger packages traditionally sell out 10-12 months ahead of the event.”
Hospitality Packages Available for Purchase:
- 100-person Private Chalets (on-course, private bar and private buffet)
- 17 Green – Limited number remaining
- 50-person Premium Suites (on-course, private bar and shared buffet)
- 16 Green – SOLD OUT
- 17 Tee – Limited number remaining
- 17 Fairway – SOLD OUT
- 30-person Suites (on-course, shared bar and shared buffet)
- 16 Fairway – Limited number remaining
- 10-person Tables (coming soon)
Additionally, hospitality purchasers will be provided with options to bundle hotel rooms, Ranch Houses (4-bedroom golf cottages) and VIP experiences at Omni PGA Frisco Resort.
Those interested in securing hospitality for the 2027 PGA Championship should complete the interest form at https://rsvp.pgahq.com/2027pgachampionship or contact Casey Dadio, Corporate Hospitality Sales Manager, at cdadio@pgahq.com.
Blake Rowling, CEO of TRT Holdings, has been named General Chair of the 2027 PGA Championship. Rowling will lead the Championship Host Committee, overseeing more than 50 committee chairs and over 3,000 volunteers, while also supporting the Championship’s sales initiatives. Rowling, a Texas native and University of Texas graduate, leads TRT Holdings which operates as a diversified holding and investment company with major interests in hospitality, energy, real estate and retail.
“It’s an honor and privilege to accept the position of General Chair for the 2027 PGA Championship,” said Rowling. “Hosting a men’s major at the Home of the PGA of America and Omni PGA Frisco Resort is a dream come true. The 660-acre campus was designed with hosting a major championship in mind, and we’re excited for the destination to shine on a global stage. I look forward to collaborating with the Championship staff as well as the business and community leaders as we prepare to deliver a world-class experience in 2027.”
Check the Source Before Purchasing
The PGA of America strongly advises interested parties to check the source before purchasing 2027 PGA Championship corporate hospitality packages. The PGA of America is the only source to offer official hospitality packages to the event, and only official hospitality packages are located on the actual championship grounds at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
Due to high demand and limited availability, it has become common practice for independent companies to market unofficial hospitality packages to the corporate community. These packages often falsely imply an affiliation with PGA of America and the 2027 PGA Championship, and will not provide access to the grounds of the event.
Other Opportunities
Those interested in receiving information on Championship tickets and volunteer opportunities can visit here. Additional details on both will be available later this spring.
