Palouse Ridge to host PNGA Men’s Amateur for second time
In 2026, one of the Northwest’s most renowned championship golf courses will again offer its facilities to the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, with the Macan Cup up for grabs.
Palouse Ridge Golf Club, on the Washington State University campus’ east side in Pullman, Wash., will host the 124th PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship from July 6-11.
The course most recently hosted the championship in 2014. In ensuing years, it did the same for the PNGA Women’s Amateur/Mid-Amateur (both 2018) and the PNGA Junior Boys’/Girls’ (both 2021).
A design of Northwest native John Harbottle III, Palouse Ridge opened in 2008, replacing the old 9-hole WSU Golf Course that had previously existed on the land since 1925. The course is owned by Washington State University and is managed by CourseCo. A public course, it serves as the home of the WSU men’s and women’s golf teams. The layout has a grand and epic scale, flowing over the Palouse hills, and has long since been a regular destination for NCAA and AJGA championships, the men’s and women’s Pac-12 Championships, in addition to those of the PNGA and WA Golf.
Stretching over 7,300 yards from the Crimson tees, the golf course carries palpable championship pedigree within its fairways and consistently offers a signature challenge to those who take it on.
“We are honored to bring our Men’s Amateur to Palouse Ridge for the second time and to be welcomed back to host a PNGA championship at the club for the fourth time,” said Nate Schroeder, PNGA Senior Director of Championships & Golf Operations. “Palouse Ridge was designed to challenge players at the highest level and between the various NCAA conference and regional championships held, the course has proven time and again that it delivers a true championship-caliber test.”
Such words were echoed by Palouse Ridge Director of Golf Jeremy Wexler.
“Our ‘inland’ links style feels, and layout provides a different look to golfers in the area,” Wexler said. “The course is ‘stamped’ into the rolling hills of the Palouse. It’s a blend of fast and firm, side hill lies, risk/reward and elevation change. A tournament can be won or lost on the finishing holes.”
The championship will consist of 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying held on July 6-7, followed by a cut with the low 64 players advancing to single-elimination match play. Each match will be contested over 18 holes, with the exception of the final match, which will be played over 36 holes and held on Saturday, July 11.
The PNGA Men’s Amateur was first held in 1899. The perpetual trophy – the Macan Cup – is named for golf course architect and Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famer A.V. Macan. While serving as the PNGA executive secretary in 1947, Macan donated the trophy he won at the 1913 PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship. He wanted it to become the perpetual trophy for the Men’s Amateur. The trophy, which still bears the logo of Butte Country Club (site of his 1913 victory) was renamed the Macan Cup.
As for next July, Sam Renner of Bend, Ore., will enter as a two-time defending champion (2024, 2025). Renner’s successful title defense in the championship was the first by any player since Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famer Jim McLean accomplished the same in 1971-72. Renner — a member of Washington State’s men’s golf team — should be familiar with Palouse Ridge’s layout.
Other past champions include Tiger Woods, Jeff Quinney, Ben Crane, Jeff Coston, Nick Flanagan, Jim McLean and Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famers Chandler Egan, Harry Givan, Jack Westland, Bud Ward and George Holland, among many others.
The PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship is among the 11 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.
