38th Playing of the Trans-Miss Four-Ball Championship Heads to Napa Valley
SANTA ROSA, CA – Nestled in the heart of Northern California’s Sonoma wine country sits a lush, scenic retreat called Mayacama Golf Club. The private Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, which opened for play in 2001, offers golfers a site to return to what Nicklaus considers “pure golf.” From Sept. 17-20, some of the best amateurs in the country will experience it when Mayacama hosts the 38th Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball Championship.
Tucked away among towering oak trees and highlighted by rolling hills and valleys, the club offers a secluded, private feel with easy access to world-class wineries and restaurants.
The Trans-Miss Four-Ball is an annual best-ball championship contested over 54 holes. The championship field is limited to 96 teams representing three divisions: Championship (Mid-Amateurs), Senior (55 and older) and Super Senior (65 and older). Each division plays from its own yardage and crowns separate champions. The tournament will feature a cut after 36 holes, with each division receiving a pro-rated representation.
At roughly 6,800 yards, Mayacama doesn’t boast a particularly long track, but it will reward the shot-makers in this year’s field. In lieu of power, competitors will be rewarded for their strategy and precision on the course. It will test the patience and mental fortitude of the field, but the course doesn’t unduly punish missed shots.
Various elevated tees and greens give golfers plenty to think about throughout a round here, culminating with a magnificent final hole. A 559-yard par-5, the 18th hole offers plenty of risk, but also a chance at high reward to cap off the round. Reachable in two shots, golfers must also be wary of water along the right side of the fairway. These factors come together to present what should be an exciting and breathtaking finish to a championship round of golf.
In addition to the this Championship, Mayacama Golf Club played host to the 2010 USGA Men’s State Team Championship, 2008 and 2009 U.S. Open Local Qualifiers and most recently, the 2017 AJGA Wyndham Cup. Mayacama is consistently ranked within Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Courses in America” and in 2017 earned the title of Best Residential Course in California.
The 38th Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball Championship will begin on Tuesday, September 18th at 8 a.m. (PST). For official pairings and more detailed information, please click here