5 facts about the Azalea Invitational, Country Club of Charleston
3/26/2014 | by Benjamin Larsen of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Azalea Invitational, Country Club of Charleston
As we prepare to follow the Azalea Invitational, here are 5 facts about the event and its host course
The Azalea Invitational kicks off Thursday from
the historic Country Club of Charleston and it
arrives just in time. As golfers in the northeast
hope the latest spring blizzard doesn't delay
golf season too much and those in the midwest
are still thawing out from a frigid winter, we're
able to watch in jealousy and in admiration the
action from sunny and beautiful Charleston.
As the first tee times inch closer, here are five interesting facts about the Azalea Invitational and The Country Club of Charleston:
The Azalea is full of history. This year's event marks the 66th playing of the Azalea Invitational. It's been held consecutively throughout its history, save for 1990, 1991 and 2006 when the course was undergoing maintenance. The course, itself, was built in 1925 by Seth Raynor and stands among his classic yet underrated designs. The club, however, is among the nation's oldest and dates back to 1786 with its official founding coming in 1901.
Architect Brian Silva led a redesign and restoration of the course in 2006 and it's been considered a major success. The integrity of the Raynor design was preserved even through the addition of new greens, restored and additional bunkers, and a top of the line irrigation system.
The winner receives the Frank C. Ford Azalea Champions Trophy, which was first presented in 2002. The award, which is a silver antique wine cooler, goes to honor Ford, a four-time Azalea champion and member of the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Ford's grandson, Frank Ford III, is a six-time winner of the event.
Despite checking in at just 6,500 yards, The Country Club has long tested stellar fields at the Azalea. Past champions include: University of South Carolina star Matthew Nesmith, Washington's Cheng-Tsung Pan, U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson (two- time winner), two-time U.S. Walker Cup team member Nathan Smith and PGA Tour playes D.J. Trahan, Casey Wittenberg and Spencer Levin, among others. Past participants include: Rickie Fowler, Luke List, Jordan Spieth, Erik Compton, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, Brandt Snedeker, Peter Uihlein, Corey Whitsett and Kevin Tway.
Played in the early part of spring, wet weather is always something to contend with. Last year's event, won by Austin Langdale who's now at Clemson, was shortened to 36 holes because of rain and course conditions. Potential rain is forecast for Friday's second round with the potential of thunder in Saturday's early forecast.
AmateurGolf.com will have full coverage of the Azalea Invitational starting with Thursday's first round.
As the first tee times inch closer, here are five interesting facts about the Azalea Invitational and The Country Club of Charleston:
The Azalea is full of history. This year's event marks the 66th playing of the Azalea Invitational. It's been held consecutively throughout its history, save for 1990, 1991 and 2006 when the course was undergoing maintenance. The course, itself, was built in 1925 by Seth Raynor and stands among his classic yet underrated designs. The club, however, is among the nation's oldest and dates back to 1786 with its official founding coming in 1901.
Architect Brian Silva led a redesign and restoration of the course in 2006 and it's been considered a major success. The integrity of the Raynor design was preserved even through the addition of new greens, restored and additional bunkers, and a top of the line irrigation system.
The winner receives the Frank C. Ford Azalea Champions Trophy, which was first presented in 2002. The award, which is a silver antique wine cooler, goes to honor Ford, a four-time Azalea champion and member of the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Ford's grandson, Frank Ford III, is a six-time winner of the event.
Despite checking in at just 6,500 yards, The Country Club has long tested stellar fields at the Azalea. Past champions include: University of South Carolina star Matthew Nesmith, Washington's Cheng-Tsung Pan, U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson (two- time winner), two-time U.S. Walker Cup team member Nathan Smith and PGA Tour playes D.J. Trahan, Casey Wittenberg and Spencer Levin, among others. Past participants include: Rickie Fowler, Luke List, Jordan Spieth, Erik Compton, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, Brandt Snedeker, Peter Uihlein, Corey Whitsett and Kevin Tway.
Played in the early part of spring, wet weather is always something to contend with. Last year's event, won by Austin Langdale who's now at Clemson, was shortened to 36 holes because of rain and course conditions. Potential rain is forecast for Friday's second round with the potential of thunder in Saturday's early forecast.
AmateurGolf.com will have full coverage of the Azalea Invitational starting with Thursday's first round.
About the Azalea Invitational
72-hole stroke play championship with a 54-hole cut on a 1925 Seth Raynor design. Good mix of college players, juniors and mid amateurs. 7 spots available in a qualifier. Impressive list of past champions at this traditional event. Reigning USGA cham...
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original