Originally Published in Global Golf Post
Tour Exemptions At Stake
Seven top-level amateur events have created a new alliance to form the Elite Amateur Golf Series, which will launch officially in summer 2022. When the years of play from the elite tournaments are combined, they represent more than 680 years of championship golf.
The events that will comprise the EAGS are the Sunnehanna Amateur, the Northeast Amateur, the North & South Amateur, the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, the Southern Amateur, the Pacific Coast Amateur and the Western Amateur.
Within the EAGS will be a summer-long competition named the Elite Amateur Cup. Using the point system from the World Amateur Golf Ranking, earned points from each of the seven events will be compiled and top finishers will earn exemptions into PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, USGA championships and other professional playing opportunities.
The first PGA Tour event to support the EAGS and offer an exemption to the Elite Amateur Cup winner is the Butterfield Bermuda Championship for their event next October.
“The Elite Amateur Golf Series is about aligning the top competitive amateur events in the United States to provide exceptional playing opportunities for the best elite amateur golfers from across the globe to compete at the highest level in advance of the U.S. Amateur, ” said Andy Priest, executive director of the Southern Golf Association and chairman of the EAGS.
“By strengthening and coordinating the competition among top amateur golfers, the work of the Elite Amateur Golf Series will provide more opportunities for elite amateur players to enhance their own game and, in turn, strengthen the overall game of golf. We believe when the best work together, the best will be produced. ”
2022 EAGS SCHEDULE
June 15-18 – Sunnehanna Amateur; Johnstown, Pennsylvania
June 22-25 – Northeast Amateur; Rumford, Rhode Island
June 26-July2– North & South Amateur; Pinehurst, North Carolina
July 6 – 9 – Trans-Miss Amateur; Denver, Colorado
July 13-16 – Southern Amateur; St. Simons Island, Georgia
July 19-22 – Pacific Coast Amateur; Portland, Oregon
Aug 1-6 – Western Amateur; highland Park, Illinois
