The Ultimate Prize for Any Golfer
Play with the pros at the first annual Tacoma Open
In no sport other than golf is it possible to introduce such an innovative idea as having amateurs compete alongside professionals.
The idea of a Pro-Am tournament at Meadow Park Golf Course in Tacoma was conceived out of the desire to give amateurs and spectators proximity to top-level professionals in a home-course setting—it’s a U.S. Open for the rest of us.
At the Tacoma Open, professional golfers will take the stage alongside amateurs on September 19-21, nine months before hitting the greens at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.
Registration is open through September 11 at TacomaOpen.com.
All amateurs, from casual golfers to more experienced club players, are encouraged to sign up for the thrill of playing a 54-hole tournament alongside some of the Northwest’s best professional golfers.
Professionals are invited to join the tournament and shoot for one of the largest prize purses in the region. Pros have the option of either choosing the amateurs they want in their group, or letting tournament organizers create the groups.
The entire purse is $35,000. The top professional wins $10,000, top amateur $750. And for everyone, the entire weekend is a golfing dream come true.
The 54-hole medal play tournament includes 36 holes on Friday and Saturday, after which the field will be cut to the best 30 professionals and the best 90 amateurs. Those players will compete for prizes in the final round on Sunday. Registration is $250 per amateur and $350 per professional and closes September 11.
Familiar faces who have committed to playing at the event include Derek Barron, PGA, the current Oregon Open champion along with the 2013 Washington Open champion Chris Griffen, PGA. Other professionals include Mark Wurtz, former PGA tour player, Corey Prugh, PGA, from Spokane, TJ Bordeaux, PGA and Shane Prante, PGA.
Capitalizing on the excitement surrounding the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, the Tacoma Open at Meadow Park Golf Course will be expanded in the future to include:
- 2014, 2015, and 2016 Tacoma Open Pro-Am Tournaments
- 2015 Tacoma Open Skins Game
- 2015 U.S. Open Viewing Party and Community Jamboree.
The Tacoma Open supports youth access to the game of golf along with its character building values. Proceeds from the event will benefit Meadow Park Golf Course’s education and golf access programs to make golf affordable and to help develop a community golf learning center.
Meadow Park is a 100 year old public community-orientated golf facility, hosting the largest Special Olympics program and tournament in the state; creating the state’s first FootGolf course; supporting seven different high school golf teams and a six‐team junior golf league; and partnering with The First Tee of South Puget Sound to offer learning and playing opportunities.
Together, these experiences at Meadow Park provide over 6,000 youth and special needs golf experiences each year. Meadow Park Golf Course is a facility of Metro Parks Tacoma and is located at 7108 Lakewood Dr. W., Tacoma.
Visit TacomaOpen.com for complete tournament details, online registration and sponsorship opportunities.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, September 19
Round One – AM or PM Tee Times off #1 & #10
Box Lunch – Foley’s on the Green
Saturday, September 20
Round Two – AM or PM Tee Times off #1 & #10
Field Cut to Low 30 Professionals and 90 Amateurs
Box Lunch – Foley’s on the Green
Sunday, September 21
Final Round – AM Tee Times off #1 – Leaders off last
Amateur and Professional Divisions:
Amateur Net Division:
A valid GHIN handicap is required for participation in the Amateur Net Division.
Golfers will play in one of three net divisions, and will be playing from a different tee than the professional and open amateurs.
The September 15, 2014 revision will be used for this event. Entry fee is $250.
Amateur Open Division:
Players with or without a GHIN handicap can compete in this division. Entry fee is $250.
Players with a GHIN compete in this division against the pros for prizes. These golfers play a gross ball score, from the pro tee.
Casual players who do not have an established GHIN handicap should also sign up in this division and will play alongside the pros for fun (prizes not awarded).
Professional Division:
Professionals will play in the gross, no-handicap professional division of the 2014 Tacoma Open.
Professionals are invited to choose 3 amateurs for their group or have 3 assigned by tournament organizers. Entry fee is $350.