While the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open generally grab most of its headlines, each year the United States Golf Association puts out a menu of championships as broad as any diner’s — and unlike some of the diners we frequent, its fare is always appetizing.
The courses, whether modern or classic, are always five-star affairs, and there’s something for everyone: male and female; juniors and seniors and everyone in between (including 25-and-older mid-ams, so people with jobs don’t always have to take on college studs majoring in golf); able-bodied and (since 2022) adaptive, showcasing the game’s improving inclusivity, something that’s long been on the USGA’s agenda.
The 2024 season looks sure to be another winner that will garner glowing reviews from competitors and fans alike. If you can’t qualify for a championship yourself — the entry requirements can be found at usga.org — attend one and get a taste of the action.
U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball
May 11-15
Oak Hills CC, San Antonio, Texas
First played: 2015
2023 winner: Gianna Clemente & Avery Zweig
Did you know: The host course, designed by A.W. Tillinghast (who competed in both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur championships), is among one of only a handful of courses anywhere in the world in which each of the nines ends with a par-3 hole.
U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
May 25-29
Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia, Pa.
First played: 2015
2023 winners: Aaron Du & Sampson Zheng
Did you know: Drew “Sleezy” Stoltz, co-host of GOLF’s weekly “SubPar” podcast with 2007 U.S. Amateur champion Colt Knost, finished as runner-up in the past two U.S. Amateur Four-Balls with partner Drew Kittleson.
U.S. Women’s Open
May 30-June 2
Lancaster CC, Lancaster, Pa.
First played: 1946
2023 winner: Allisen Corpuz
Past winners of note: Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1948, ’50, ’54), Mickey Wright (1958-’59, ’61, ’64), Annika Sorenstam (1995-’96, 2006), Se Ri Pak (1998)
Did you know: Lancaster CC made In Gee Chun, the 2015 USWO champion here, an honorary member; she comes back annually to host a charity golf event to raise money for local students to continue their secondary education.
U.S. Open
June 13-16
Pinehurst Resort & CC (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
First played: 1895
2023 winner: Wyndham Clark
Past winners of note: Walter Hagen (1914-’19), Ben Hogan (1948, ’50-’51, ’53), Lee Trevino (1968, ’71), Ernie Els (1994, ’97)
Did you know: In 2029, Pinehurst No. 2 will repeat the unique feat the course pulled off in 2014, namely, hosting the U.S. Open (won in ’14 by Martin Kaymer) and U.S. Women’s Open (Michelle Wie) on consecutive weeks.
U.S. Senior Open
June 27-30
Newport CC, Newport, R.I.
First played: 1980
2023 winner: Bernhard Langer
Past winners of note: Gary Player (1987-’88), Jack Nicklaus (1991-’93), Hale Irwin (1998, 2000), Colin Montgomerie (2014)
Did you know: Defending champion Langer will hope to extend the record for oldest winner he set last year at Wisconsin’s SentryWorld at age 65, smashing the previous mark by eight years; the victory also made him the winningest player in PGA Tour Champions history.
U.S. Adaptive Open
July 8-10
Sand Creek Station, Newton, Kans.
First played: 2022
2023 winners: Kipp Popert (men’s overall), Ryanne Jackson (women’s overall)
Did you know: The inaugural championship came 25 years after the USGA published “A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities,” which cover circumstances golfers with disabilities may encounter, allowing for equitable play with and against all other competitors, including those not disabled.
U.S. Girls’ Junior
July 15-20
El Caballero CC, Tarzana, Calif.
First played: 1949
2023 winner: Kiara Romero
Past winners of note: Hollis Stacy (1969-’71), Nancy Lopez (1972, ’74), Inbee Park (2002), Lexi Thompson (2008)
Did you know: The champion receives an invitation to the following year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur in addition to exemptions into the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, and all future U.S. Girls’ Juniors for which she is age-eligible.
U.S. Junior Amateur
July 22-27
Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
First played: 1948
2023 winner: Bryan Kim
Past winners of note: Johnny Miller (1964), David Duval (1989), Tiger Woods (1991-’93), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11)
Did you know: Previous winners of championships at Oakland Hills, aka “The Monster,” reads like a who’s who of golf royalty, including (but not limited to): Glenna Collett Vare, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Padraig Harrington.
U.S. Senior Women’s Open
August 1-4
Fox Chapel GC, Pittsburgh, Pa.
First played: 2018
2023 winner: Trish Johnson
Past winners of note: Laura Davies (2018), Helen Alfredsson (2019), Annika Sorenstam (2021)
Did you know: In a serious mic-drop moment at Fox Chapel, local hero and USGA legend Carol Semple Thompson poured in a 27-foot birdie putt in Sunday singles to clinch the 2002 Curtis Cup Match for the USA over Great Britain & Ireland in her 12th and final Cup appearance.
U.S. Women’s Amateur
August 5-11
Southern Hills CC, Tulsa, Okla.
First played: 1895
2023 winner: Megan Scofill
Past winners of note: Marion Hollins (1921), Patty Berg (1938), Juli Inkster (1980-’82), Lydia Ko (2012)
Did you know: Last year’s final was an all-SEC affair between native Floridians, with Auburn University’s Scofill taking down conference rival Latanna Stone of LSU 4 and 3; the prior last Women’s Am winner from the Sunshine State was Morgan Pressel in 2005.
U.S. Amateur
August 12-18
Hazeltine National GC, Chaska, Minn.
First played: 1895
2023 winner: Nick Dunlap
Past winners of note: C.B. Macdonald (1895), Bobby Jones (1924-’25, ’27-’28, 30), Arnold Palmer (1954), Viktor Hovland (2018)
Did you know: Last year’s champion, Dunlap, who in 2021 also won the U.S. Junior Amateur, became only the second player to do the Am-Junior Am double—joining Tiger Woods, who won three of each, with Junior Am titles in 1991-’93 followed by Am triumphs in 1994-’96.
U.S. Senior Amateur
August 24-29
The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.
First played: 1955
2023 winner: Todd White
Past winners of note: O. Gordon Brewer Jr. (1994, ’96), Buddy Marucci (2008), Vinny Giles (2009)
Did you know: Nearly a half-dozen siblings own USGA titles, including Senior Am winners Stan Lee (2007) and brother Louis (2011, beating Stan en route, in what is believed to be the first USGA match between brothers); John Richardson (1987) and son Kemp (2001, ’03) also made Senior Am titles a family affair.
