Photo courtesy of the New Years Invitational

Held annually since 1927, approaching their 100th year, the New Year’s Invitational is one of the oldest continuously running amateur tournaments in the Southeastern United States. It has built a reputation for showcasing future stars, with past champions including PGA TOUR players like Brandt Snedeker and J.B. Holmes. Perhaps this history of strength of field was the impetus of the exemption.

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This, combined with the new LECOM Suncoast Classic exemption, solidifies the NYI’s standing as a can’t miss tournament on the amateur golf calendar.
The proximity of the two tournaments—both geographically and in terms of their schedules—makes this exemption a perfect fit. The Suncoast Classic is held just a short distance away at Lakewood National Golf Club in April, a fitting follow-up for the amateur champion to test their skills in a professional setting just a few months later​.

During the past three decades, the championship has been dominated by collegiate players, including winner Ryuji Imada in 1996, Jeff Klauk in 2000 (with a tournament record 21- under par 267), J.B. Holmes in 2003, Brandt Snedeker in 2004, Jeff Overton in 2005, Luke List 2006, Peter Uihlein 2009, Sam Horsfield 2014-2015, Hayden Buckley 2017-2018, and Nick Gabrelcik 2020. For a full list of champions, visit the New Years Invitational website. 

The course at St. Petersburg Country Club’s went through a remodel in the late 2000’s, expanding greens and lengthening tees to allow for more championship play at a yardage of 6,900+. But the remodel this past summer, proved to be one of the biggest in its history, led by past champion Gary Koch.

Major renovations include:

• Design Consultant: Gary Koch (won the event in 1974)
• New greens built to USGA spec with tifeagle grass
• Restoration of greens to original size
• Replacement of all greenside irrigation heads
• Full regrassing of all fairways and primary rough with bimini bermuda grass
• Full renovation of all bunkers with addition and removal as recommended
• Full regrassing of all tee complexes with addition of some new tees
• Replacement of seawalls on holes #6 and #7

The application window is now open. For more detailed information, you can explore the event's official website here.