Northern California has long been one of the most vibrant and competitive regions in the country for amateur golf. From the windswept fairways of Pebble Beach to the historic match play battles of the San Francisco City Championship, the region offers players a unique mix of tradition, accessibility, and year-round opportunity.
In this episode of the AmateurGolf.com Podcast, host McKenzie Steenson sits down with Pete Wlodkowski, founder of AmateurGolf.com, to discuss how the region shaped the amateur game—and how his journey from Connecticut to San Francisco in the 1990s sparked the creation of a platform that now connects golfers around the world.
From a Local Idea to a National Platform
“When I moved to Northern California in the early ’90s, I remember being overwhelmed,” says Wlodkowski. “There was a tournament almost every week. You could play city championships, club invitationals, you name it—and the season never really ended.”
That abundance inspired Wlodkowski to create a centralized resource for competitive players. What began as a local idea soon turned into a national network.
“I started AmateurGolf.com in 1999 because I wanted all the schedules, rankings, and results in one place,” he explains. “At the time, nobody was covering the full spectrum of amateur tournaments. It launched at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach—and it just grew from there.”
The Northern California Golf DNA
Wlodkowski credits much of the region’s amateur success to the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) and its robust Player of the Year system. The NCGA’s forward-thinking structure gives competitors—from club champions to elite amateurs—a reason to play throughout the year.
“Northern California is massive in both geography and population,” Wlodkowski says. “The NCGA and SCGA each have hundreds of thousands of members, but what makes NorCal special is how they connect everything—city events, private club tournaments, even local invitationals—all feeding into a bigger competitive picture.”
Tradition Meets Technology
From hand-lettered calligraphy scoreboards to live Golf Genius scoring, Wlodkowski has seen the evolution firsthand. Yet, for him, the essence remains unchanged: community.
“There’s something timeless about showing up, checking your name on a board, and seeing who you’re paired with,” he says. “Even though tech has made things easier, those personal touches still define amateur golf.”
That sense of tradition carries into events like the Two-Man Links Championship Series, one of AmateurGolf.com’s signature tournament offerings. The series—played at venues such as Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Torrey Pines, and Sand Valley—has become a destination for golfers seeking high-level competition with a social, team-oriented format.
The Spirit of Community
From senior circuits run by volunteers like Jim Knoll, to the enduring passion of local players chasing NCGA Cup spots, the Northern California amateur scene continues to thrive thanks to its people.
“We list thousands of tournaments on AmateurGolf.com, but what really keeps it going are the golfers themselves,” says Wlodkowski. “They’re not doing it for money or fame—they just love the game and the competition.”
Get Involved
If you’re inspired to compete, browse the full AmateurGolf.com Tournament Database — featuring over 4,000 events for men, women, and seniors nationwide.
Whether you’re chasing Player of the Year points, entering your first club championship, or dreaming of teeing it up at Pebble Beach, there’s a place for you in the AmateurGolf community.
