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Golf’s rising stars face off in San Francisco
The U.S. Amateur is known for featuring players before they become household names—legends like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer all once competed here.
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Ritu Marwah - Tue, 22, Jul 2025
- 17:05 EDT
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125th U.S. Amateur Championship Cup. / Ritu Marwah
The countdown is on at San Francisco’s iconic Olympic Club, where the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship will unfold from Aug. 11-17. Leading the charge is Abhishek Sonkkar, senior director of club operations, who is overseeing final preparations for this week-long celebration of the sport’s rising stars.
“This is where the future of players is made. It is a huge undertaking and I can proudly say we are very well prepared. Our membership, twenty-six committees, sixty chairs and four hundred and fifty staff along with nearly a thousand volunteers are working together to make it happen,” Sonkkar said.
The U.S. Amateur is known for featuring players before they become household names—legends like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer all once competed here.
Inviting golf enthusiasts and families alike to come experience the future of the game up close, Sonkkar said, “You can witness future stars at a lower cost than professional tournaments.” There are 312 players in the field.
“The good thing about the championship, from the fan experience standpoint, is that you get to walk the fairways and walk behind the players. In a big championship like the US Open or the PGA the crowds are so big you can not get the action up close but with the US Amateur you get to see the play.”
The Olympic Club
“The Olympic Club is a phenomenal facility. It welcomes over 11,000 members on a daily basis, “ said Justin Armstrong, senior director, Championships at United States Golf Association (USGA) who has collaborated with the Olympic Club operations team since 2023 putting together plans for food and beverage, parking & transportation, restrooms etc for over 2000 people a day.
“The US Amateur is the longest amateur championship," said Tim Muessle, general manager Olympic Club. “We have to run the operation as well as raise the funds for it. The USGA leans on the club to do the legwork that goes into it. We have to get the golf course ready and work with the USGA. That is pivotal.” Renowned architect Gil Hanse has renovated the Lake Course in time for the Amateur. The year-long project created a new 7th hole and expanded fairways, greens and approach aprons.
The Lake Course, with reverse-camber doglegs, sidehill lies, thick rough and tiny greens, is one of the game’s most demanding layouts offering a severe test for even the most skilled golfers. The golfers will play 18 holes on the Lake layout and 18 more on the adjoining Ocean Course. Then the top 64 in stroke play will advance to match play on the Lake.
“This is the first time since 2017 that we are hosting the USAM," said Malia Lyle, president Olympic Club. “First time it will be played across both courses offering a true showcase of everything the Olympic Club has to offer.”
Tickets
The USGA is offering individual single-day Gallery tickets and five-packs of Gallery tickets that can be used over multiple days or shared on the same day with family and friends.
Each individual ticket may be used for any one day of the championship (Monday through Sunday) and will include general admission to The Olympic Club’s Lake Course grounds, access to walk the historic course and ability to purchase on-site food and beverage.
During Monday and Tuesday’s stroke-play rounds, a Gallery ticket will provide access to both courses on property, including the Ocean Course, which will serve as the stroke-play companion course for the championship.
All tickets include complimentary parking at San Francisco State University, located at 796 State Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132. Courtesy shuttles to and from The Olympic Club will be provided.
Ticket Pricing
Gallery – Good Any One Day ($35/ticket)
Gallery – Good Any One Day, Five-Pack ($150 total, $30/ticket)
Juniors ages 17 and under will be granted complimentary Gallery admission for any day of the event by visiting the onsite ticket office with a ticketed adult. There is a maximum of four junior tickets per ticketed adult.
All tickets are available for purchase at usamateur.com.
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