Photo credit Russell Kirk/USGA
We’re in the midst of the cold winter season, but before we know it, the days will be longer and the weather will turn warmer. For avid golfers, that means we’ll be back on the greens in relatively short time for the next six or so months.
With golf season around the corner, it’s a good time for fans of the sport to circle the premier upcoming tournaments on their calendars.
The four majors on the schedule for the 2023 PGA season are: The Masters (Apr. 6-9 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia), the PGA Championship (May 15-21 at the Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York), the U.S. Open (June 15-18 at the Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California) and The Open (July 16-23 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Wirral, England).
2023 also marks the first year where residents of Kansas will be able to place wagers on golf events, as The Wheat State launched sports betting in September. Topeka’s very own Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open, will be among the top names to watch at the four PGA majors.
People in Kansas who follow the Masters and other sporting events should know that they’ll be able to place wagers by BetMGM Kansas with their unique bonuses for the events. The BetMGM sportsbook is offering new customers a risk-free wager of up to $1,000 upon signing up.
Aside from the top PGA tournaments, here is a look at some of the top amateur golf tournaments in 2023 to circle on your calendar.
U.S. Junior Amateur
The U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship, which will be held from July 24-29 this year, is one of the nation’s biggest annual golf tournaments.
This year’s tournament will be held at the Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina at the Ralston Creek Creek and Beresford Creek courses. This is also the milestone 75th U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship tournament. The field size consists of 264 golfers, with 64 participants qualifying for the tournament. Entries are slated to open on Mar. 22.
Jordan Spieth, a three-time major winner, turned heads with victories at the 2009 and 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship tournaments. Spieth went on to become one of the best golfers of his era, winning the 2015 Masters and U.S. Open as well as the 2017 British Open.
Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 Masters winner, also won the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship in 2013. One year later, future fan favorite Will Zalatoris emerged victorious at the tournament.
Last year, 17-year-old Wenyi Ding won the tournament by narrowly outlasting Caleb Surratt. The 2022 event was held at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Coos County, Oregon.
The Amateur Championship
Also known as “The British Amateur Championship” the 2023 event will be held from June 19-24 at the Hillside Golf Club in Southport, England.
Along with the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship, “The Amateur Championship” is considered one of the two premier golf championship tournaments for junior golfers.
Aldrich Potgieter was the winner of last year’s tournament, which was held at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. Potgieter narrowly defeated Sam Bairstow in the finals to claim the championship.
Candian Amateur Championship
The Canadian Amateur Championship started back in 1895, and it remains a key fixture in the amateur golf scene nearly 130 years later.
Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes (born in Hamilton, Ontario), won the Canadian Amateur Championship back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012. Interestingly, Hughes is the most recent winner of the tournament to have become a notable player on the PGA tour.
The 2023 Canadian Amateur Championship is scheduled to run from Aug. 7-10 at the Pulpit Club in Caledon Village in Ontario.
Southwestern Amateur 2023 Championship
The state of Arizona is well known for its long list of beautiful five-star golf courses that attract golfers all over the world. One of its most luxurious courses — the Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale — will host the 2023 men’s and women’s Southwestern Amateur Championship tournaments.
2023 marks the 108th edition of the Southwestern Amateur 2023 Championship, which will run from June 14-17. It should be noted that the tournament will be played at the Cochise Course. Entries for the event officially close on Apr. 30.