Amateurs – or perhaps we should say juniors – at the top level of the game can begin preparing for the USGA’s return to the Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee. The Pete Dye-designed course was the memorable site of Tiger Woods’ NCAA Championship victory in 1996. It will host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the 2031 U.S. Amateur.
Even though those championships are a few years away, it’s an exciting prospect for both of the nation’s top amateur events to return to the venue. The course will also host the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship on Aug. 28-Sept. 2.
The club previously hosted the 1991 U.S. Amateur, won by Mitch Voges; the 1994 Curtis Cup Match, a biennial competition between the U.S. and Great Britain and Ireland that was halved, 9-9; the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur, won by Kevin Marsh; the 2011 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, won by Terri Frohnmayer; and the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur, won by Min Woo Lee.
“Having three USGA championships at our course over the next 11 years is an incredible honor and a tremendous reflection of the hard work of our members and staff in carrying out our club’s dedication to amateur golf,” said Joe Richardson, chairman of The Honors Course. “The 2031 U.S. Amateur will have special significance as we mark the 40th anniversary of hosting the championship. We are proud and excited to welcome everyone to our home.”
The Honors Course will become the 26th course to have hosted both a U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur, joining among others, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and Merion Golf Club.
Located just outside Chattanooga, the Honors Course tops the Golfweek’s Best list of private courses in Tennessee. It comes in at No. 19 on the list of Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses.
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