LIVE SCORING: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
February 19, 2026 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am, Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club
Everything to know about the 71st Gasparilla Invitational at Palma Ceia—schedule, course setup, recent champions, and scoring
Introduction and History
The Gasparilla Invitational is one of the premier mid-amateur tournaments in the country, played each February at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida. The event’s roots trace back to the professional-era Gasparilla Open (1932–1935), before returning in 1956 as a strictly amateur championship.
Over the decades, the Gasparilla has attracted U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur champions and a deep roster of elite mid-am competitors. The tournament’s history is also tied to Tampa’s Gasparilla tradition—an annual “pirate invasion” and celebration that helps define the city’s late-winter calendar.
In the modern era, Palma Ceia’s tight corridors, small greens, and slick putting surfaces have created a championship that can swing from record-low scoring in calm weather to survival golf when the wind kicks up.
Course Overview: Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club
Quick Snapshot
- Par / Yardage: Par 70, approximately 6,332 yards
- Designer: Donald Ross (historic routing and style)
- Closing stretch: A reachable par-5 finish that can flip the leaderboard late
Palma Ceia is not a modern bomb-and-gouge test. It rewards control off the tee, disciplined wedge play, and a confident putting stroke. The course features a mix of short par-4s that demand position, long par-4s that force full approaches into small targets, and par-3s that punish misses in the wrong spots.
Key holes to watch: The par-5 3rd is a prime birdie opportunity, while the finishing par-5 18th regularly becomes a pressure point—especially when players need one last birdie to reach a playoff number.
2026 Tournament Schedule & Format
Schedule (February 19–21, 2026)
- Thursday: Morning & afternoon shotgun starts (plus contestant hospitality)
- Friday: Morning & afternoon shotgun starts (plus evening player event)
- Saturday: Final round tee times off #1 and #10, followed by awards
Format: 54-hole individual stroke play with a cut after 36 holes. The tournament also features a senior division contested alongside the main championship.
2025 Recap: Scott Turner’s One-Shot Victory
The 2025 edition delivered a classic Palma Ceia finish. Scott Turner posted three rounds in the 60s to win at 206 (-4), edging Steele Dewald and Will Davenport by a single stroke.
Turner’s final round included a key birdie at the par-5 16th, and his closing stretch held up as conditions limited scoring across much of the field.
Senior Division (2025): Miles McConnell defended his title, building a cushion early in the week and holding on through a tougher final round.
Scoring Trends (2019–2025)
Palma Ceia’s scoring profile has swung dramatically in recent years. Calm conditions can produce record-chasing totals, while wind and firmness can turn the event into a grind where even-par looks like a winning number.
| Year | Champion | Winning Total | To Par | Trendline Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mike Finster | 202 | -8 | One of the lowest modern winning totals |
| 2020 | Derek Busby | 206 | -4 | Competitive but controlled scoring |
| 2021 | Chip Brooke | 205 | -5 | Tight finish; winning score hovered around mid-single digits under par |
| 2022 | Logan Blondell | 200 | -10 | Record-setting pace in scoring-friendly conditions |
| 2023 | Brendon Wilson | 200 | -10 | Another record-tying run; elite birdie conversion |
| 2024 | Charles Fitzsimmons | 211 | +1 | Windy, demanding; winning score over par |
| 2025 | Scott Turner | 206 | -4 | Back to under-par winning; fewer low rounds on the final day |
How to interpret this: When the wind stays down, the Gasparilla can produce 200-ish winning totals and a true shootout. When gusts arrive and greens firm up, par becomes a premium and the leaderboard compresses quickly.
Recent Champions & Signature Performances
Logan Blondell (2022)
A Palma Ceia local, Blondell produced a wire-to-wire performance and posted a record-winning total at 10-under 200. His week was defined by steady fairway positioning and clean conversion on birdie looks.
Brendon Wilson (2023)
Wilson matched the tournament record at 10-under 200, highlighted by a closing 64 that remains one of the most impressive rounds in modern Gasparilla history.
Charles Fitzsimmons (2024)
In the ultimate survival edition, Fitzsimmons finished at +1, forced a playoff with a late birdie on 18, then won by making birdie on the second extra hole.
Scott Turner (2025)
Turner’s 2025 title at -4 reinforced the tournament’s identity: you can win with birdies, but you must avoid the big mistake—especially late, when the finishing stretch tempts aggression.
Patron Notes & Viewing Experience
On-Site Guidelines (Quick List)
- Stay outside roped-off areas and remain on cart paths where requested.
- Give players space (about 15 yards) and remain quiet during shots.
- Only authorized cameras/press are permitted.
- Spectator carts are not provided.
What to Watch in 2026
- Defending champion: Scott Turner returns with confidence and a proven Palma Ceia blueprint.
- Senior storyline: Miles McConnell looks to extend his run in the senior division.
- Will it be a shootout or a grind? The biggest variable is weather. Calm conditions can produce record pace; wind can push the winning number back toward par.
- Closing-hole drama: The par-5 18th is a classic finisher—reachable, volatile, and often decisive for playoffs and last-minute leaderboard swings.
Updates
Round 1: (Add recap and key numbers)
Round 2: (Add recap, cutline, and movers)
Final Round: (Add recap, champions, highlights)
About the Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am
54-hole individual stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60 and ties. Good mix of Florida players and national competitors looking for an early season tune up. Played on a traditional, tree lined golf course that isn't very lo...
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