Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – 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 Monday, 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 Nickalus), 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.
About BallenIsles Country Club
In 1963 legendary Florida developer John D. MacArthur and the PGA of America teamed up with golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee to design a championship-caliber golf facility. Over the next ten years, BallenIsles, then called PGA National Golf Club, hosted numerous major tournaments like the PGA Championship and PGA Seniors Championship and was home for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Club was also the host site for the original PGA TOUR Qualifying School and held the inaugural PGA Merchandise Show. When the MacArthur/PGA of America agreement expired in 1973, the Club was renamed the JDM Country Club for John D. MacArthur. For the next 15 years, the prestigious local country club hosted many celebrities and professional golfers and staged many events on the three golf courses on the property. In 1988, the three golf courses and surrounding property were sold by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and renamed BallenIsles Country Club. A multi-year and multimillion dollar plan to develop a private country club community was unveiled. Since the early 2000’s, BallenIsles Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Clubs in America.
BallenIsles features a 115,000 square foot Grand Clubhouse; a world-class 34-court racquets complex with 21 tennis courts (including an exhibition stadium court) and 13 pickleball courts; a brand new four-court bocce complex; and $19 million renovation and expansion of the 71,000-square-foot Sports & Lifestyle Complex completed in early 2025. Enhancements include a renovated Aquatics Center with a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor Cabana Bar, new dining venue Artisan with Sweet Shop, Member Lounge, Health & Lifestyle Fitness Center, Salon & Spa, Pilates Studio, Racquets & Lifestyle Shop, Member Lounge, Cultural Center, and Family Fun Center.
The Club also features premier Practice Grounds and ‘71 Golf Learning Center, along with three championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design and Rees Jones totaling 54 holes. Known for its superior member service and golf excellence, BallenIsles continues to invest in world-class amenities that support an active, resort-style lifestyle.
For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org
Media Contact:
Laren Fender
BallenIsles Country Club
Marketing Manger
561.625.5760
