PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida – BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., will host the 2026 U.S. Open Championship final qualifier for the first time on its historic East Course on June 8.
The original home to the Professional Golfers’ Association of America and former site of the PGA TOUR Qualifying School, BallenIsles’ East Course has a storied legacy of welcoming many of the game’s greatest players.
Over the years, it has hosted premier events including the PGA Championship (won by Jack Nicklaus), the World Cup of Golf, the Senior PGA Championship, and numerous other prestigious tournaments.
In 2026, the East Course will once again take center stage as 78 competitors vie for a place in the 126th U.S. Open to be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southhampton, New York, June 18-21. The United States Golf Association received 10,201 entries this year, just one shy of the all-time record, marking only the fifth time entries have surpassed 10,000.
BallenIsles is proud to host this prestigious qualifier and has undertaken extensive course preparations to present the East Course in peak championship condition. In a rare departure from tradition, the Club will keep the course open for one additional day following the event, offering members a unique opportunity to experience the course set up at a true championship level standard.
“Our team looks forward to hosting this 36-hole qualifier on ‘golf’s longest day,’” said BallenIsles Country Club Director of Golf Jeff Fitzherbert. “The U.S. Open is traditionally one of the toughest tests in golf, challenging one’s mental and physical skills. Our historic East Course will provide a stern test, preparing the eventual qualifiers for what they’ll face at Shinnecock Hills.”
BallenIsles Country Club’s championship pedigree is further defined by its storied course design and legendary competitors, including Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead. The North Course was redesigned by Kipp Schulties in 2013, followed by Rees Jones’s redesign of the South Course in 2020.
Most recently, Nicklaus Design completed a remarkable transformation of the East Course and practice grounds, unveiled alongside the state-of-the-art, tech-fueled ’71 Learning Center. Continuous enhancements and modern updates ensure each course delivers a championship-caliber experience from the back tees while remaining enjoyable and accessible for players of all skill levels.
For more information on BallenIsles Country Club, visit www.BallenIsles.org.