The rise and popularity of team golf has grown immensely in recent years. Ask any professional golf fan and they’ll admit that the four-ball and foursomes formats are their favorite.

Mid Amateurs and seniors like the four-ball format because the five-hour grind is much more enjoyable when you've got a partner playing alongside -- we're not always able to practice as much as we would like and it's great to have someone take the wheel when we hit it sideways for a few holes.

With the USGA’s decision to cut the U.S. Public Links Championship in exchange for the new U.S. Four-Ball Championships (qualifying starts this year for the men's and women's events that start in 2015), it’s clear that team golf is here to stay.

Following is a just a small list of the country's top four-ball events.

Admittedly, most of these tournaments are invitationals and some, like the Williams and Anderson, are almost impossible to get into. But heck, when Tom Lehman got back on the Tour in 1992, he set the goal of winning an event, making the Ryder Cup team, winning the money title, and becoming the No. 1 player in the world. And that came from a guy who had struggle for the previous 10 years. Guess what? He achieved all four (and one more I'm forgetting) within the next seven years.

SilverRock

Giddings Cup: Established in 1983, the 36-hole event is played at the gorgeous SilverRock and Indian Wells Resorts in Southern California. This year is the first for the event's mid-am flight.

Bandon Dunes

Amateurgolf.com Two- Man Links Championship: There's a reason we keep going back...This year will mark the 13th playing of our annual links championship with three divisions played over three days at Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Bandon Dunes.

Winged Foot

Anderson Memorial Four- Ball: This is a big one. Many of the nation's top mid-amateurs and seniors make the annual trek to famed Winged Foot for the four-day event. A 36-hole stroke-play qualifier sets the table for two days of match play.

Secession Golf Club

The Devlin: There aren't many events with the charm the Devlin carries. Played at beautiful -- walking-only -- Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, S.C., the Devlin is run by the Devlin Family and calls famed Australian golfer, broadcaster and course designer Bruce Devlin chairman.

Oak Hill

John R. Williams Four- Ball: Another four-ball at one of golf's premier locations, the J.R. Williams Four-Ball is played at Oak Hill, site of the 2013 PGA Championship.





To view a complete list of major four-ball events, click here ».

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