Let that sink in.

The best male and female amateur golfers in Southern California are walking the same Kikuyu fairways and putting on the same Poa annua greens that have challenged Tiger Woods, Lilia Vu, Phil Mickelson, and Jon Rahm. And they’re doing it together — on equal footing — in one of the most storied public golf venues not just in California, but in the world.

At AmateurGolf.com, we don’t just admire Torrey Pines. We live here. It’s our home course. And seeing it elevated this way — as the unified stage for two of the SCGA’s premier championships — makes this moment deeply personal.

More Than a Venue — A Symbol

Torrey Pines is more than a golf course. It’s a municipal masterpiece perched on the cliffs of La Jolla, shaped by time, weather, and the relentless passion of the players who’ve made pilgrimages to it. It’s where Tiger Woods limped to victory in 2008. It’s where generations of junior golfers took their first meaningful swings. And this week, it becomes a shared proving ground — for men and women, side by side.

According to SCGA President Zack Moran, “this year we are truly fortunate to be in America’s Finest City at the nationally revered Torrey Pines” — and he’s right. This isn’t just about great golf. It’s about visibility, equality, and reverence for the game.

The SCGA: A Steward of Growth and Opportunity

If Torrey Pines is the canvas, the SCGA is the artist.

Time and again, the SCGA proves it’s not just a governing body—it’s a champion for golf in Southern California. From maintaining a thriving network of competitive events to introducing juniors, women, and mid-ams to meaningful pathways in the game, the SCGA fosters one of the most vibrant amateur communities in the country.

Hosting these dual championships isn’t a stunt. It’s the logical next step in the SCGA’s continued commitment to fairness, opportunity, and excellence. Both champions this week will earn coveted exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur and 2025 U.S. Amateur — as well as 10-year exemptions into future SCGA championships. That’s not just a trophy. That’s a career-changing ticket.

Why This Matters to Us at AmateurGolf.com

AmateurGolf.com has long chronicled the rise of amateur stars, covered the SCGA’s championships in depth, and told the stories that shape the amateur game. But this week, we’re not just covering a tournament. We’re watching our own backyard shine.

And while we’re celebrating what’s happening now, we’re also looking ahead. From December 16–19, 2025, we’ll be back at Torrey Pines for our AmateurGolf.com 2025 Two Man Links and Father & Son Championships. This flagship event is open to male and female amateurs, and it’s one of our favorite weeks of the year. The chance to tee it up where Tiger won a U.S. Open and Jaden Soong won the SCGA Amateur at just 14 years old? That’s not just bucket list stuff. That’s a chance to become part of history.

Celebrating a Public Golf Cathedral

Torrey Pines didn’t always wear this crown. In the 1980s, it was described in Fore Magazine as barely hanging on — a “sandlot” in the era of stadium golf. But thanks to visionaries in the city and partners like the SCGA, it transformed into a cathedral of public golf. Rees Jones reimagined the South Course. Tom Weiskopf reshaped the North. And San Diegans have never stopped showing up to support it.

It’s fitting, then, that Torrey Pines plays host to two of the most meaningful amateur titles in the West. It’s a venue where dreams are both born and realized. Where a teenager named Jaden Soong can become a giant. And where a college-bound star like Annika Ishiyama can mount a record-setting comeback.

This Isn’t Just Golf. It’s a Movement.

When men and women compete in harmony on a stage like Torrey Pines, something deeper than birdies and bogeys is happening. We’re witnessing the next chapter of amateur golf’s evolution — one built on shared respect, shared opportunity, and shared excellence.

To the SCGA: bravo.

To the competitors: thank you for inspiring us.

And to everyone who loves golf — we’ll see you on the tee in December.