{"id":562008,"date":"2026-03-26T12:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/562008\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T12:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:12:12","slug":"the-punta-mita-invitational-isnt-just-another-pro-am-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/562008\/","title":{"rendered":"The Punta Mita Invitational isn’t just another pro-am. Here’s why"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Punta Mita Invitational<\/a> isn\u2019t trying to be just another pro-am. Now in its 11th year, the event has turned into one of golf\u2019s most unique experiences \u2014\u00a0an intersection of high-level competition and luxury accommodations at one of the most gorgeous destinations in the the sport.<\/p>\n

The event, founded in 2014, brings together passionate amateurs, Tour winners and industry leaders. The most recent playing wrapped up in January. Here\u2019s what you should know about it and, better yet, how you can get involved next time.<\/p>\n

A dynamite field<\/p>\n

Punta Mita is different from a traditional pro-am due to its accessibility of the professional field. The 2026 lineup featured major champions, Tour winners and international standouts. They weren\u2019t distant celebrities but teammates, dinner companions and, at some moments, beachside storytellers.<\/p>\n

Michael Campbell, the 2005 U.S. Open champion, served as event host<\/a>, anchoring a field that included Players champ Fred Funk and pros like Stuart Appleby, Chris DiMarco, Heath Slocum, John Rollins, Ricky Barnes, Notah Begay III and Esteban Toledo. The invitational rotates pros with amateurs daily, so all three rounds are played with a different star.<\/p>\n

Teams of three amateurs (and their rotating pro) compete over three rounds for the title. But this isn\u2019t high-stress and mega pressure \u2014\u00a0think more like a high-end member-guest. There\u2019s drinks and there\u2019s laughs \u2014 but there\u2019s also competition, like the annual shootout, where pros split into two teams for a four-hole match. Better yet, it\u2019s played in front of guests, homeowners and resort members. It\u2019s also a blast.<\/p>\n

\"a
\n An overhead view of some of the off-course fun.<\/p>\n

Courtesy Photo<\/p>\n

A destination worth visiting<\/p>\n

The location itself is a star. Once a quiet peninsula for surfers and fishermen, Punta Mita was transformed by developer DINE into a private luxury enclave featuring world-class real estate, curated amenities and two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses.<\/p>\n

The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita opened in 1999, and today Punta Mita is home to four elite hotel properties: Four Seasons, St. Regis Punta Mita, Montage Punta Mita and Pendry Punta Mita. There\u2019s also 20 residential (and private) communities. The St. Regis Punta Mita plays as event host, and here guests enjoy five nights of luxury accommodations, beach access and spa experiences. There\u2019s also nightly social events.<\/p>\n

The golf, of course, is good too. The most famous hole might be the Pacifico Course\u2019s \u201cTail of the Whale\u201d island green. It appears and disappears with the tides \u2014\u00a0so it can only be played when accessible \u2014\u00a0and is truly a bucket-list experience. (As long as the tide\u2019s on your side.)<\/p>\n

\"The
\n The Tail of the Whale, hole 3B, at the Pacifico Course.<\/p>\n

Evan Schiller<\/p>\n

Outside the ropes<\/p>\n

If the days belong to golf, the nights belong to Punta Mita.<\/p>\n

Evenings unfold with sunset happy hours, beachside gatherings and standout dining experiences \u2014 including a memorable night at Hector\u2019s Kitchen, recently named one of Mexico\u2019s Top 100 Restaurants for 2026 by renowned critic Marco Beteta.<\/p>\n

This is where the Invitational separates itself. As pros linger over mezcal and amateurs trade stories, genuine connections form and business relationships soften into friendships. Clients become playing partners. And the line between competitor and companion disappears.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea from the beginning was never just great golf,\u201d says Derek Oakey, the event founder. \u201cWhen Carl Emberson and I started this in 2014, we wanted it to feel different, something that truly embraced the vibe of Punta Mita. Over the years it\u2019s grown into an experience that\u2019s just as much about the people and the place as it is the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ideal environment has also morphed into an intriguing location to host high-value clients and prospects, as access like this can\u2019t be replicated in a traditional hospitality tent.<\/p>\n

The future<\/p>\n

The 2026 Punta Mita Invitational was the second edition of a new partnership with 8AM Golf, which is focused on growing the game and elevating the golfer experience. With deep relationships across professional golf, media, instruction and equipment, 8AM Golf brings credibility, access and operational excellence, helping take an already special event to an entirely new level.<\/p>\n

And 11 years in, the Punta Mita Invitational has become something increasingly rare in modern golf: an event that feels exclusive without feeling inaccessible, and competitive without losing its soul.<\/p>\n

Paradise doesn\u2019t just surround the golf \u2014 it becomes a part of it. To learn more, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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