The Echo Lake Country Club, serving as the stroke-play co-host, brings its own rich history to the championship. Also a Donald Ross creation, Echo Lake has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the 2002 U.S. Girls' Junior, where a young Inbee Park clinched her first major victory at just 14 years old. Both courses epitomize classic American golf course architecture and will demand precision and strategy from the competitors.

RELATED CONTENT

2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying roundup
Blanchard and Sam Engel win 2024 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

The Evolution of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship was introduced in 2015 as a modern counterpart to the traditional U.S. Amateur, with the goal of celebrating the camaraderie and team spirit of amateur golf. The format, which features two-person teams competing in best-ball stroke play followed by match play, has resonated deeply with competitors, quickly becoming a favorite among top amateurs.

Over its first decade, the championship has produced some memorable moments and set impressive records. The lowest 18-hole score in the championship’s history was recorded in 2019 by the team of Joseph Deraney and Jacob Huizinga, who fired an astonishing 10-under 62 at Bandon Dunes. This record-breaking round highlighted the potential for spectacular scoring in this format, where both players contribute their best to the team's score.

In terms of overall performance, the championship scoring record for 36 holes of stroke play belongs to Brandon Cigna and Ben Warnquist, who posted a remarkable 19-under 125 at Jupiter Hills Club in 2018. Their performance set a new benchmark for excellence in the event and showcased the high level of competition that the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball attracts.

Notable Past Champions
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball has already seen several winners who have made a mark in both amateur and professional golf. Among the most notable champions are Nathan Smith and Todd White, who won the inaugural championship in 2015. Smith, a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, and White, a Walker Cup team member, brought a wealth of experience to their victory, solidifying their status as two of the top amateur golfers in the country.

Another standout team is Scott Harvey and Todd Mitchell, who claimed the title in 2019. Harvey, a former U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and Walker Cup participant, and Mitchell, a standout amateur golfer, demonstrated the depth of talent present in the championship. Their victory was a testament to the event’s ability to attract the best in amateur golf.

Several past participants have gone on to achieve success at the professional level. For instance, Stewart Hagestad, who competed in multiple Four-Ball championships, has since become one of the most successful amateur golfers in recent history, with multiple Walker Cup appearances and a U.S. Mid-Amateur title to his name. His journey through the Four-Ball underscores the event’s role in shaping the careers of future stars.

The 2025 Championship at New Jersey's Plainfield Country Club: A Preview
The 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, scheduled for May 17-21, will feature 128 sides (teams of two), each striving to etch their names into the history books. The competition will begin with two rounds of stroke play, after which the top 32 sides will advance to the match-play portion of the event. This format, which combines the drama of stroke play with the head-to-head intensity of match play, has proven to be a winning formula for the championship.

Among the exempt sides returning in 2025 are Brian Blanchard and Sam Engel, the reigning champions who narrowly defeated the teenage duo of Blades Brown and Jackson Herrington in the 2024 final. Blanchard and Engel’s victory was a classic example of perseverance and teamwork, as they held off a late charge to secure their place in Four-Ball history. It's also a good example of what makes the tournament so appealing, with a team of Mid-Am golfers playing a team almost half their age in the final. That's something you may have seen years ago in the U.S. Amateur when players in their 30s and even 40s made the final or won the championship. But it doesn't happen much anymore.

The championship’s appeal lies not only in the prestige of winning a USGA title but also in the camaraderie and teamwork required to succeed. For many competitors, the Four-Ball represents the pinnacle of amateur golf, offering a unique opportunity to compete alongside a trusted partner at the highest level.

Future Sites
As the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball enters its second decade, it is clear that the championship has already established itself as a premier event on the amateur golf calendar. The combination of top-tier competition, historic venues, and the unique team format ensures that the Four-Ball will continue to grow in popularity and prestige.

With future championships scheduled at iconic venues such as Chambers Bay and Bandon Dunes, the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. As we look forward to the 2025 championship at Plainfield Country Club, one thing is certain: the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball will continue to be a showcase of the very best in amateur golf, a celebration of teamwork, and a proving ground for the next generation of golf’s stars.