Wine Valley announced as host of 2026 PNGA Men’s Master-40
If there’s anything smoother than the red wine produced from the vineyards of Walla Walla, Wash., it might be the fairways of that town’s renowned golf course, which has long been a host of championship-grade play.
Wine Valley Golf Club, that very place, is set to host the Pacific Northwest Men’s Master-40 Amateur, to be held Aug. 3-7, 2026.
Opened in 2009 and designed by Northwest architect Dan Hixson, the long, treeless course sits some seven miles west of town, among the rolling waves of pure Eastern Washington prairie.
Built on land that once was wheat and alfalfa fields, Wine Valley is one of the state’s most expansive courses. From its longest tees, the course measures a little more than 7,600 yards.
The scheduling of the PNGA Men’s Master-40 continues what has been a full-throttle period for Wine Valley. Last year, the club hosted its second PNGA Women’s Amateur, as well as a U.S. Open Final Qualifier. It has been the site of the PNGA Men’s Amateur three times, the Washington Men’s Amateur twice, and the Northwest Open Invitational a total of 12 times, among an assortment of other events, for which it has always been well-equipped.
“One of Wine Valley’s biggest strengths is its flexibility,” said Tyler Sweet, the course’s PGA director of golf. “The layout was designed with championship golf in mind, which allows us to adjust setup elements and present different challenges from day to day. Subtle changes to tee placements, hole locations, and course setup can dramatically alter how the course plays, rewarding strategic decision-making and precise execution.”
Being a PNGA championship, the Master-40 will welcome players from across the Northwest, adding considerable depth to the field. Welcoming players aged 40 and over, the championship accommodates senior and super senior players as well.
“That reach allows Wine Valley to welcome championship golfers from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada, creating a truly regional – and even international – championship experience,” Sweet explained. “This championship is a great opportunity to showcase just how strong the golf community is in Eastern Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
Historically, champions of the Master-40 include those who have previously represented exceptional regional golf. The list includes Dr. John Harbottle, Dr. Jack Lamey and Tom Brandes, all of whom are inductees of the PNGA Hall of Fame.
Nate Smith – a former PGA TOUR player – is the defending champion. His title helped propel him to being named the 2025 PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year.
The Pacific Northwest Men’s Master-40 Amateur is one of 11 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.
