As the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship reaches its 10th anniversary in 2025, it seemed like a good time to reflect on how quickly this event has become a staple on the USGA calendar. Since its debut in 2015 at San Francisco's Olympic Club, this championship has drawn the attention of top amateurs, who relish the unique team format and the prestigious venues that host the event. For many players, qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball provides them with their first opportunity to participate in a USGA championship.
The 2025 edition, held at the historic Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, promises to be another thrilling chapter in the story of this rapidly maturing championship.
A Championship Rooted in History
Plainfield Country Club, the primary host for the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, is one of the most storied courses in the United States. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross and opened in 1921, Plainfield has seen its fair share of significant tournaments, including the 2011 Barclays, where Dustin Johnson emerged victorious, and the 1978 U.S. Amateur, won by John Cook. The course is renowned for its strategic layout, featuring Ross's signature design elements such as well-placed bunkers, subtle elevation changes, and challenging greens. Over the years, Plainfield has consistently tested the mettle of golf’s elite, making it a fitting stage for a USGA championship.
The Echo Lake Country Club, serving as the stroke-play co-host, brings its own rich history to the championship. Also a Donald Ross creation, Echo Lake has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the 2002 U.S. Girls' Junior, where a young Inbee Park clinched her first major victory at just 14 years old. Both courses epitomize classic American golf course architecture and will demand precision and strategy from the competitors.
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The Evolution of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship was introduced in 2015 as a modern counterpart to the traditional U.S. Amateur, with the goal of celebrating the camaraderie and team spirit of amateur golf. The format, which features two-person teams competing in best-ball stroke play followed by match play, has resonated deeply with competitors, quickly becoming a favorite among top amateurs.
Over its first decade, the championship has produced some memorable moments and set impressive records. The lowest 18-hole score in the championship’s history was recorded in 2019 by the team of Joseph Deraney and Jacob Huizinga, who fired an astonishing 10-under 62 at Bandon Dunes. This record-breaking round highlighted the potential for spectacular scoring in this format, where both players contribute their best to the team's score.
In terms of overall performance, the championship scoring record for 36 holes of stroke play belongs to Brandon Cigna and Ben Warnquist, who posted a remarkable 19-under 125 at Jupiter Hills Club in 2018. Their performance set a new benchmark for excellence in the event and showcased the high level of competition that the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball attracts.
Notable Past Champions
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball has already seen several winners who have made a mark in both amateur and professional golf. Among the most notable champions are Nathan Smith and Todd White, who won the inaugural championship in 2015. Smith, a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, and White, a Walker Cup team member, brought a wealth of experience to their victory, solidifying their status as two of the top amateur golfers in the country.
Another standout team is Scott Harvey and Todd Mitchell, who claimed the title in 2019. Harvey, a former U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and Walker Cup participant, and Mitchell, a standout amateur golfer, demonstrated the depth of talent present in the championship. Their victory was a testament to the event’s ability to attract the best in amateur golf.
Several past participants have gone on to achieve success at the professional level. For instance, Stewart Hagestad, who competed in multiple Four-Ball championships, has since become one of the most successful amateur golfers in recent history, with multiple Walker Cup appearances and a U.S. Mid-Amateur title to his name. His journey through the Four-Ball underscores the event’s role in shaping the careers of future stars.
The 2025 Championship at New Jersey's Plainfield Country Club: A Preview
The 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, scheduled for May 17-21, will feature 128 sides (teams of two), each striving to etch their names into the history books. The competition will begin with two rounds of stroke play, after which the top 32 sides will advance to the match-play portion of the event. This format, which combines the drama of stroke play with the head-to-head intensity of match play, has proven to be a winning formula for the championship.
Among the exempt sides returning in 2025 are Brian Blanchard and Sam Engel, the reigning champions who narrowly defeated the teenage duo of Blades Brown and Jackson Herrington in the 2024 final. Blanchard and Engel’s victory was a classic example of perseverance and teamwork, as they held off a late charge to secure their place in Four-Ball history. It's also a good example of what makes the tournament so appealing, with a team of Mid-Am golfers playing a team almost half their age in the final. That's something you may have seen years ago in the U.S. Amateur when players in their 30s and even 40s made the final or won the championship. But it doesn't happen much anymore.
The championship’s appeal lies not only in the prestige of winning a USGA title but also in the camaraderie and teamwork required to succeed. For many competitors, the Four-Ball represents the pinnacle of amateur golf, offering a unique opportunity to compete alongside a trusted partner at the highest level.
Future Sites
As the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball enters its second decade, it is clear that the championship has already established itself as a premier event on the amateur golf calendar. The combination of top-tier competition, historic venues, and the unique team format ensures that the Four-Ball will continue to grow in popularity and prestige.
With future championships scheduled at iconic venues such as Chambers Bay and Bandon Dunes, the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. As we look forward to the 2025 championship at Plainfield Country Club, one thing is certain: the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball will continue to be a showcase of the very best in amateur golf, a celebration of teamwork, and a proving ground for the next generation of golf’s stars.
ABOUT THE
U.S. Four-Ball
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball championship was played for the first time in
2015 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.
The event has no age restriction, however, it is only open
to individual players with a Handicap Index of 2.4 or lower.
It is one of 15 national championships conducted
annually by the USGA. Due to the early season date of the U.S. Four-Ball, qualifying is held at the end of the prior year through early the year of the tournament based on weather and geographies.
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