6271 Bryan Park Rd., Browns Summit, NC 27214
Email: carolinas@pgahq.com Website: Carolinas Office: (336) 398-2742
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Click here to view Carolinas PGA Section's Board of Directors
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The Carolinas PGA is pleased to announce that The Cliffs at Mountain Park will serve as the host venue for the 102nd Carolinas Open, scheduled for July 13-16, 2026. This marks a significant milestone as one of the PGA of America's oldest and most respected states opens and celebrates over a century of competitive excellence while establishing a new partnership with The Cliffs. Defending Champion Colin Salema, a member of the Clemson University Golf Team, will look to defend his title against an elite field.
The Carolinas Open, established in 1923, represents more than 100 years of championship tradition and has crowned legendary champions, including Dow Finsterwald (1947, 1948, 1952), Bobby Locke (1954), and Davis Love Jr. (1964). The 54-hole stroke play championship brings together 156 qualified PGA professionals and amateurs from across North and South Carolina, with competitors earning their spots through seven local qualifiers. The Cliffs at Mountain Park, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, will provide a stunning backdrop for this historic event, offering players and spectators alike an incredible championship experience amid the region's natural beauty.
The championship week will begin with the PGA REACH Carolinas Pro-Am on Monday, July 13, 2026, featuring competitors in the event, members at The Cliffs, corporate partners, and supporters in a dedicated fundraising event. Premium player gifts, on-course hospitality, and a post-round reception will set the tone for a meaningful start to championship week while supporting programs that introduce golf to veterans, youth, and underrepresented communities throughout the Carolinas.
"This partnership represents more than just hosting a tournament," said Jeff Abbot, CEO of the Carolinas PGA. "Together, we will create a best-in-class event, and The Cliffs' beauty, exclusivity, and culture will be showcased to the Carolinas’ golf community."
“We are thrilled that The Cliffs at Mountain Park has been chosen to host the 102nd Carolinas Open,” said Rob Duckett, President of The Cliffs. “It’s an honor for the community to be part of one of the PGA’s most venerated state opens and to support the pursuit of excellence in golf, which is foundational to The Cliffs’ mission.”
For more information about the 2026 Carolinas Open, visit carolinas.pga.com.
On Monday, July 13, the day before the 102nd Carolinas Open tees off at The Cliffs at Mountain Park in Marietta, South Carolina, the Carolinas Open CPGA REACH Pro-Am will bring together amateurs and Carolinas PGA Professionals for a single round. This special event benefits PGA REACH Carolinas, with this year’s proceeds supporting PGA HOPE.
Proceeds from the Pro-Am support all three of PGA REACH Carolinas’ focus areas: youth, military, and inclusion. Last year, PGA HOPE reached 1,365 veterans across 31 programs — the most of any Section in the PGA of America — while PGA Jr. League served 3,346 participants. The Section’s Drive, Chip and Putt program drew 2,086 juniors through 18 local qualifiers and three sub-regional events.
The Carolinas Open dates back to 1923, and the REACH Pro-Am has become a fixture of Open week, pairing the Section’s flagship championship with a cause that has touched thousands of lives across North and South Carolina. The 102nd Carolinas Open follows July 14–16, with defending champion Colin Salema looking to repeat.
The PGA REACH Carolinas 2026 Drive, Chip and Putt season got underway Monday, June 15, with the first local qualifier at Old Barnwell in Aiken, South Carolina. Hosted by the REACH Carolinas team, the event saw 24 juniors punch their tickets to the sub-regional round at Fort Jackson Golf Club this August.
Old Barnwell was one of several sites to host local qualifiers across the Carolinas this month, with thanks also due to Hope Valley Country Club, First Tee – Greater Charlotte at Pineville, Eagle Creek Golf Club, and Apple Valley Golf Course at Rumbling Bald Resort for welcoming junior competitors of their own. Last year, the Section’s Drive, Chip and Putt program drew 2,086 participants through 18 local qualifiers and three sub-regional events, representing one of the largest junior pipelines of any PGA Section in the country.
