As we prepare to follow the Azalea Invitational, here are 5 facts about the event and its host course
The Azalea Invitational kicks off Thursday from
the historic Country Club of Charleston and it
arrives just in time. As golfers in the northeast
hope the latest spring blizzard doesn't delay
golf season too much and those in the midwest
are still thawing out from a frigid winter, we're
able to watch in jealousy and in admiration the
action from sunny and beautiful Charleston.
As the first tee times inch closer, here are five
interesting facts about the Azalea Invitational
and The Country Club of Charleston:
The Azalea is full of history. This
year's event marks the 66th playing of the
Azalea Invitational. It's been held
consecutively throughout its history, save for
1990, 1991 and 2006 when the course was
undergoing maintenance. The course, itself,
was built in 1925 by Seth Raynor and stands
among his classic yet underrated designs. The
club, however, is among the nation's oldest
and dates back to 1786 with its official
founding coming in 1901.
Architect Brian Silva led a redesign and
restoration of the course in 2006 and it's
been considered a major success. The integrity
of the Raynor design was preserved even
through the addition of new greens, restored
and additional bunkers, and a top of the line
irrigation system.
The winner receives the Frank C. Ford
Azalea Champions Trophy, which was first
presented in 2002. The award, which is a silver
antique wine cooler, goes to honor Ford, a
four-time Azalea champion and member of the
Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and the South
Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Ford's grandson,
Frank Ford III, is a six-time winner of the
event.
Despite checking in at just 6,500 yards,
The Country Club has long tested stellar
fields at the Azalea. Past champions
include: University of South Carolina star
Matthew Nesmith, Washington's Cheng-Tsung
Pan, U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson (two-
time winner), two-time U.S. Walker Cup team
member Nathan Smith and PGA Tour playes
D.J. Trahan, Casey Wittenberg and Spencer
Levin, among others. Past participants include:
Rickie Fowler, Luke List, Jordan Spieth, Erik
Compton, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, Brandt
Snedeker, Peter Uihlein, Corey Whitsett and
Kevin Tway.
Played in the early part of spring, wet
weather is always something to contend
with. Last year's event, won by Austin
Langdale who's now at Clemson, was
shortened to 36 holes because of rain and
course conditions. Potential rain is forecast for
Friday's second round with the potential of
thunder in Saturday's early forecast.
AmateurGolf.com will have full coverage of
the Azalea Invitational starting with Thursday's
first round.
About the Azalea Invitational
DUE TO COURSE RENOVATIONS, THE 2026 TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. IT IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THE MAJORS CALENDAR IN 2027 AT COUNTRY CLUB OF CHARLESTON, 72-hole stroke play championship with a 54-hole cut on a 1925 Seth Raynor design. Good mix of col...
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