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Jul 13, 2022

Bandon Dunes and the USGA: A Championship Legacy

After hosting seven USGA championships over its history, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has earned a top spot in the hearts of golf’s greatest amateurs. After all, Oregon’s rugged coast offers a uniquely inspiring landscape upon which to compete.

Tyler Strafaci won the 2020 U.S. Amateur, held at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Perhaps it’s the sweeping, untamed shorelines and the primeval grassy dunes that roll to the sea. Or the courses designed in complete harmony with the natural surroundings and influenced by all the elements. Or maybe it’s the pure, links-style experience that conjures the spirits of an ancient and timeless game. When combined, these ingredients create champions.

The USGA and Bandon Dunes have enjoyed an enduring partnership over the past two decades, with highlights including Team USA’s win at the 2006 Curtis Cup Match, the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur, the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship (for both men and women), the Inaugural U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball in 2015, the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, and the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship.

And it’s a rich history with no sign of slowing, as the USGA and Bandon Dunes have announced the hosting of 13 amateur championships over the next 23 years, beginning with the U.S. Junior Amateur this summer and running all the way to the 2045 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

“With five championship-caliber courses and incredible support from the resort’s ownership, Bandon Dunes is the perfect location for these USGA championships,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer.

For the next quarter century, the world’s greatest emerging golfers will converge on the southern Oregon Coast to compete in the crown jewels of amateur championship golf, including the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, the Walker Cup, and the Curtis Cup.

However, at this moment, the golfing world has its sights set on the U.S. Junior Amateur this July 25-30. Bandon Dunes will serve as the host course for both stroke play and match play for the championship, with Bandon Trails acting as the second stroke-play course.

The U.S. Junior Amateur boasts a talented collection of past champions. The last decade has witnessed the likes of Jordan Spieth (2009 and 2011), Scottie Scheffler (2013), Will Zalatoris (2014), and Min Woo Lee (2016) capturing the national title.

Nicholas Dunlap capped off the run of his life in July of 2021 by earning the U.S. Junior Amateur title. The month started with Dunlap winning the only match-play event on the American Junior Golf Association circuit, the Polo Junior Golf Classic at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J. He then medaled in the U.S. Amateur qualifier in Decatur, Alabama, and followed that performance by finishing as runner-up in the Junior PGA Championship at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Kentucky.

The only question remaining is who will rise to the challenge this year and earn the title of 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Champion? All eyes will be on the rugged shorelines of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort this July 25-30, 2022. Your eyes can watch live on the Golf Channel July 29, 3pm-5pm (PDT).