Shoal Creek to host AGA Men’s, Women’s state amateur

By AGN Staff

All events at Shoal Creek will be walking-only

HOOVER – One of Alabama’s iconic golf courses is set to host two of the Alabama Golf Association’s premier events in the near future.

The Alabama Golf Association announced this week that Shoal Creek in Birmingham, will host the 108^th Alabama State Amateur Championship from June 5-8, 2024, along with the Women’s State Amateur Championship at a future date to be determined.

It’s the first time Shoal Creek will host the Alabama State Amateur Championship, and as the host club comes a twist. Shoal Creek is one of the few remaining clubs in the Southeast that features a caddie program and believes walking is an essential part of the game. With that in mind, the State Amateur will be a walking-only event in 2024.

Shoal Creek has been the site of numerous championship events, including the 1984 and 1990 PGA Championship, 1986 U.S. Amateur Championship, 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, 2010 Southern Amateur Championship, Regions Tradition Championship (2011-2015) and 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.

“Shoal Creek believes strongly in the positive impact that the game of golf has on our society,” a statement from Shoal Creek read. “We believe it’s our responsibility to give back to and do our part to grow the game, bringing more people from all backgrounds to the game.

“Nowhere is that better to do than at the local level, and we are proud to partner with the Alabama Golf Association to host the premier events in our state, including the 2024 Men’s State Amateur Championship and a future Women’s State Amateur Championship.”

Alabama Golf Association Executive Director Andy Priest is happy to add Shoal Creek to the list of host venues for the state’s top amateur events.

“The Alabama Golf Association is thrilled to host our flagship men’s event at Shoal Creek in just two short years from now,” Priest said. “It is exciting for us to add to Shoal Creek’s history of hosting top golf championships on its world-class layout, offering the best amateurs in the state an opportunity to compete on one of the most iconic venues in the country.”

Shoal Creek recently supported Youth on Course Alabama by hosting its second annual 100 Hole Hike in 2021, fundraising nearly $35,000 to support the program’s mission of providing access to junior golfers for $5 or less.

The Alabama State Amateur Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event featuring 156 players. The field is comprised of players with exemptions and sectional qualifiers. Entry is open to any male amateur golfer who is a legal resident of Alabama and has an active USGA Handicap Index at an AGA member club that does not exceed 8.4.

The Alabama Women’s State Amateur Championship format includes 18 holes of gross individual stroke play to determine seeding within each division. The Championship Division will be cut to the low 16 players from the stroke play qualifier, and the remaining players will be placed into flights according to the number of entries within the division. Entries are open to any female amateur golfer who is a legal resident of Alabama and has an active USGA Handicap Index at an AGA member club.

For more information about the Alabama State Amateur Championship, go to the Championship website. For more information about the Alabama State Amateur Championship, go to the Championship website. For more information about the Alabama Women’s State Amateur Championship, go to its Champion website here.