PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The 108th Florida Amateur Championship returns to Palm Beach Gardens from June 5–8, 2025, hosted at BallenIsles Country Club. With over 1,000 hopefuls competing across 16 qualifying sites, only 168 players have earned their place in the field, 45 of whom are exempt, underscoring the tournament's elite status.
BallenIsles Country Club
BallenIsles Country Club will host the Florida Amateur Championship for the second time, last hosting in 1967 as PGA National Resort. BallenIsles has been the site of the PGA Championship, World Cup, and the PGA Seniors Championship and was originally the home of the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America and the original PGA National.
The South Course originally opened in 1964, and underwent a renovation by notable course architect Rees Jones and reopened in January 2020. This renovation was a complete reconstruction of the golf course and included the pump house, irrigation, drainage, design modifications, and concrete cart paths. Rees Jones has called the reconstructed South Course holes 7, 8, and 9 as "The Stretch" that will make or break your day. With water in play on every shot from tee to green and long yardages to navigate, this run of holes will require skillful decisions.
The East Course, which originally opened in 1963 and was the host of the 1971 PGA Championship (won by Jack Nicklaus), recently underwent a significant renovation headed up by Nicklaus Designs, reopening in January 2023. The redesign added variety and strategy with every shot. Par fours have a mix of shorter holes with more challenging greens and mid-to longer holes with greens that are more open on one side. The greens and bunkers have been significantly enhanced with distinctive complexes that create a beautiful focal point. Seventy-five trees have also been relocated and strategically placed in areas around the course, creating a better shaping of the holes and challenging players to think before hitting their tee shot.
Past Champions in the Field
- Marc Dull – The 2023 champion, Dull made history by becoming the first mid-amateur in 20 years to win the Florida Amateur, finishing at a record 17-under 271.
- Matthew Galloway – Winner of the 2007 championship at Innisbrook Resort, Galloway has since had a notable golf career on The Big Break and then caddying on the PGA & LPGA Tours, including caddying for two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen and U.S. Women's Open Champion, Michelle Wie.
- Jeff Dennis – The 2006 champion from Parkland, Florida, Dennis secured his title with a 5-under 280 at Pine Tree Golf Club. Dennis is now a key member of the PGA Tour's staff with the PGA Tour University program.
- Ryan Abbate – The 2005 champion from Fort Lauderdale, Abbate won wire-to-wire with an 11-under 277 at Bear Lakes Country Club.
- Brad Quiri – The 2004 champion and University of South Florida alumnus, Quiri clinched his title with a 7-under 281 at The Club at TwinEagles.
Click here for a full list of Past Champions
Key Players to Watch
The championship field features a mix of seasoned amateurs and rising talents. Notable participants include:
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Charlie Woods – The 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods recently clinched his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational, finishing 15-under-par at Streamsong Resort's Black Course. Woods will compete in his second Florida Amateur Championship, narrowly missing the cut in 2024
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James Hassell – A redshirt freshman at the University of South Florida, Hassell boasts a decorated junior career, including being the 2020 3A FHSAA State Individual Champion. He has also recorded 21 top-10 finishes on the Florida Junior Tour. In the summer of 2024, Hassell captured the Amateur Match Play Championship and secured low Amateur honors at the 78th Florida Open.
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Clipper Salmon – The 2024 Florida Junior Player of the Year made a significant impression by finishing eighth in the 107th Amateur Championship. His accolades also include winning the FJT Golf Road Junior (16-18) Major and being the stroke-play medalist at the Junior Amateur Match Play Championship.
- Chase Haygood & Matthew Soucinek are the highest returning finishers from 2024, both sharing T6 at Quail Valley and expect to be a factor this week.
Follow the Action
Live scoring and tee times will be updated throughout the week on FSGA.org.
