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PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS
Not just the greatest meeting of land and sea in American golf, but the most extensive one, too, with nine holes perched immediately above the crashing Pacific surf—the fourth through 10th plus the 17th and 18th. Pebble’s sixth through eighth are golf’s real Amen Corner, with a few Hail Marys thrown in over an ocean cove on the eighth from atop a 75-foot-high bluff. Recent improvements include the redesign of the once-treacherous 14th green, and reshaping of the par-3 17th green, both planned by Arnold Palmer’s Design Company a few years back—and the current changes to the Iconic 8th hole.
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LET'S GO
PEBBLE BEACH, CA • APRIL 1, 2025
The Links at Spanish Bay was the first true links course built in America in many decades, but it took years for conveyor belts to deposit sand atop exposed bed rock to return this mined-out sand quarry back to a linkland site. The trio of designers, playfully dubbed "The Holy Trinity," thoughtfully shaped an 18 that looks natural, plays strategically and is sensitive to the coastal wetland environment.
THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY
PEBBLE BEACH, CA • MaRCH 30, 2025
The Golf Digest Open returns to the Golf Club of Houston, which will also host the LIV Houston event in 2024. The former site of the PGA Tour’s Shell Houston Open boasts large TifEagle Bermuda greens are always in great condition with some difficult par 4s.
Golf Club of Houston (Members)
Houston, TX • June 24, 2024
Given the task of designing a course just up the 17 Mile Drive from Pebble Beach and Cypress Point, Robert Trent Jones responded with a combination of Pine Valley and Augusta National. The five opening holes, in Pine Valley-like sand dunes, are an all-too-brief encounter with the Pacific seacoast. The remaining holes are a stern hike through hills covered with majestic Monterey pines (which, sad to say, may someday disappear to pitch canker, but are being replaced in some areas with cypress trees). Add several water hazards that hearken back to the 16th at Augusta (a hole which Trent Jones designed, by the way) and you have what some panelists consider to be Trent’s finest work. Others say it’s the best course never to have hosted a major event.
SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE
PEBBLE BEACH, CA • MaRCH 31, 2025
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What is the playing format?
The Golf Digest Open is a 2-person Best Ball with two divisions—Gross and Net.
What is the entry fee for a qualifier, and what does it cover?
The entry fee is $300 per player ($600 per team) and covers the following fees on the day of the regional qualifier:
Green fees, cart fees, use of practice facility, food & beverage, scoring, player gift and an opportunity to earn a spot into the National Championship, with the winning team in each division earning a free entry into the Golf Digest Open National Championship at Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green, Florida on November 3-5, 2024.
Do both teammates need to sign up?
No. Only one team member should sign the team up for both players with a paid team entry fee of $600.
Can I sign up as an individual / without a partner?
No. This is a two-person team competition, and you must sign up as a team.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes. All participants must be 21+ as of the date of the qualifying event in which they are participating.
What is the cancellation policy for the qualifying round?
Each qualifier will have an established withdrawal deadline, typically fourteen (14) days prior to the qualifying date. A cancellation fee of $150 will apply for any team withdrawing for any reason by the withdrawal deadline. Any no-shows or withdrawals after the established deadline cannot be refunded for any reason.
Can I replace my teammate if he/she can no longer play in a qualifier?
Yes, you can request this for any qualifier so long as it is done seven (7) days in advance or more of the qualifying date.
Can I play in more than one qualifying round?
You may play in more than one qualifier if you wish. Once you qualify for the 2024 Golf Digest Open National Championship you are ineligible from qualifying again this year.
Does competing in the Golf Digest Open affect my amateur status?
*To the extent that acceptance of any prize(s) would negate a player’s amateur status, such player may opt out of the prize(s).
Where can I view the official rules?
The complete official rules can be found here
After reviewing the above I still have more questions, who do I contact?
Please email us at customer.service@golfdigest.com
How do I qualify for the national championship?
Top three teams (6 total teams) from Gross and Net divisions of each qualifier will be invited to play in the Golf Digest Open 2024 national championship
photo by Kevin Merfeld
photo by Joann Dost
photo by Jeff Marsh
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