Tumwater, Wash. – The historic Tacoma Country & Golf Club has been selected as the site for the 99th Washington Open Invitational, set to take place from May 5-7, 2025 (please note the dates have changed from previously published). This prestigious event will bring together top golfers from across the region to compete at the oldest continuously operating golf club in the state.
Founded in 1894, Tacoma Country & Golf Club has been a cornerstone of Washington’s golfing tradition for over 130 years. Located on the shores of American Lake, the course is known for its exceptional conditioning and challenging layout, making it an ideal host for major championships. It was chosen as the site of the 2023 USGA U.S. Open Final Qualifier and the upcoming 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. In 2024, the club hosted the Pacific Northwest Golf Association 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship, further solidifying its reputation as a destination for competitive golf.
The Washington Open Invitational, first held in 1922 at Yakima Country Club, is one of the most storied tournaments in the Pacific Northwest Section PGA. Over the decades, it has attracted elite talent and produced a host of legendary champions, including Chuck Congdon, Al Mengert, Bud Ward, Bob Duden, Don Bies, Jeff Coston, Rick Acton, and Fred Couples.
“The Pacific Northwest PGA has a duty to our members to deliver exceptional tournament experiences, especially across our four majors. For the Washington Open to find a new home at a facility with a rich history and a deep championship pedigree makes our responsibility to our members a reality.” – Frank Talarico, CEO, Pacific Northwest Section PGA
“Tacoma C&GC has been fortunate to host the Washington Open in 1932, 1997 and 1998. We are very honored to host the 99th Washington Open again here at Tacoma C&GC” – Brett Eaton, PGA Head Professional and the Tacoma C&GC Professional Team.
Tacoma Country & Golf Club has a proud tradition of hosting major events, also including the Northwest Open in 1915, 1925, 1931, 1966, 1979, and 1985. Additional significant tournaments include the PNW PGA Professional Championship in 1962 and 1996, the PNW PGA Pro-Am Championship in 1955 and 2004, the PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship in 1992, 2011 and 2024, and the 74th Hudson Cup matches in 2022. This extensive history underscores the club’s reputation for excellence in the Pacific Northwest.
In its past, Tacoma Country & Golf Club was also home to Jim Barnes, who served as the club’s Head Professional from 1911 to 1914. Barnes went on to become a major figure in golf, winning the 1914, 1917, and 1919 Western Opens, the 1916 and 1919 PGA Championships, the 1921 U.S. Open, and the 1925 British Open.
Tacoma Golf Club was established when a group of a dozen Scotsmen and Englishmen, employed by the English grain firm of Balfour, Guthrie, & Co., sought to play the game they left behind in their homelands. In 1904, the club acquired the seven-acre Lehman estate plus 160 acres of surrounding property on the eastern shore of American Lake, its current location. Over the years, the club has grown into one of the premier private golf clubs in the Northwest.