A Tournament Built to Last

The Invitational began in 1927 as a local match play competition. By 1956, it had embraced stroke play, aligning itself with the evolution of the wider game. It has weathered storms, the shifting sands of equipment technology, and the passage of generations. Through it all, one truth remains: every January, the New Year’s Invitational asks players to show who can execute when the pressure is sharpest.

From locker-room attendant turned PGA Champion Johnny Revolta to Masters winner Bob Goalby, from Buddy Alexander’s six titles to Brandt Snedeker’s rise to a FedEx Cup, this tournament has consistently served as a proving ground. It’s not simply about who wins, but about how the winner handles the moment—and how the Invitational reveals their potential.

The Course: History with Modern Bite

The story of the Invitational cannot be told without its stage. St. Petersburg Country Club, opened in 1924 and designed by English-born architect Herbert Strong, has been the tournament’s permanent home. Strong’s vision—elevated greens, strategic bunkering, and a routing that teases players with shifting winds—remains at the core of the test.

The course has evolved over the decades: Dick Wilson lowered and expanded greens in 1960, Joe Lee reimagined finishing holes in 1967, and further refinements came in the 1980s. Most recently, a complete 2024 renovation brought the layout into the modern era. Greens were rebuilt to USGA specifications and planted with TifEagle Bermuda, fairways and rough re-grassed with Bimini Bermuda, bunkers reconstructed, and tees stretched the course to over 7,000 yards. With PGA Tour winner Gary Koch advising, the club honored its history while sharpening its challenge for the next century.

A Roll Call of Champions

Every champion adds a chapter. Revolta, Goalby, Alexander, Snedeker, Holmes, Uihlein, Buckley—the list is both local and global, amateur and professional, past and present. This is not coincidence; it’s the Invitational’s identity. Winners here often carry their success to larger stages.

In the modern era, the storyline continues. Cooper Smith (2024) played with a putter so hot he called it the best of his life. Cayden Pope (2025) matched the 54-hole scoring record at 13-under. Both performances underscore what the Invitational demands: a steady hand when others falter, and the courage to seize the moment.

2026 Championship Information

Dates: January 2–4, 2026

Format: 54-hole stroke play, championship tees, limited to 92 contestants. No cut.

Stakes: The champion earns a place in the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic in April 2026.

Entry: Acceptance based on WAGR ranking and tournament record.

Why This Opportunity Is Rare

Few tournaments last a century. Fewer still maintain relevance, prestige, and the ability to launch careers. The New Year’s Invitational belongs to that rare class. For competitors, this is a chance to etch your name next to legends. For the club, it is the reward of a hundred years of stewardship. For golf, it is proof that tradition can evolve without losing its essence.

The centennial isn’t just a look back; it’s a celebration of what’s ahead. At AmateurGolf.com, we believe the 100th New Year’s Invitational is a story worth following—and a moment worth remembering.