About The Dixie Am

The Dixie Amateur, one of the longest-running and most prestigious amateur golf tournaments in the United States, was first played in 1924 at the historic Miami Country Club. From the beginning, Florida's appeal as a year-round golf destination has helped the tournament attract elite amateur talent from across the country.

Early champions included notable names such as Frank Strafaci, Earl Christianson, Frank Perpich, Al Besselink, Bill Hyndman III, and future Masters champion Doug Ford. After the Miami Country Club closed in 1953, the event was temporarily discontinued until its revival in 1962.

Since then, the Dixie Amateur has been played continuously at several top courses across South Florida, including The Links at Key Biscayne and the Golf Club of Miami. During this era, the tournament grew in stature, drawing the best amateur players in the country—many of whom went on to successful careers on the PGA Tour. Past champions include Andy Bean, Bruce Fleisher, Lanny Wadkins, Nolan Henke, Len Mattiace, and Jesper Parnevik.

In 1990, the tournament moved to the Bonaventure Resort and shifted to December, aligning with the holiday break. This change allowed more collegiate players to compete and significantly elevated the strength and depth of the field.

The Dixie continued to evolve with the addition of new divisions:

• In 1997, the Senior Division (ages 55+) was introduced. Steve Earsley of Stuart, Florida, captured the inaugural title and successfully defended it in 1998.
• In 2002, the Women’s Division was launched and has since drawn many of the top female amateurs in the world. Meaghan Francella won the first edition, narrowly defeating future LPGA star Paula Creamer. Notably, 2007 champion Lexi Thompson went on to become the youngest winner in LPGA history at age 16.
• In 2019, the Mid-Master Division (ages 40–54) was added, offering a competitive and age-appropriate environment for highly skilled amateurs in that age range.

In 2011, ClubLink acquired the Dixie Amateur, bringing a renewed commitment to enhancing the player experience. The tournament now takes place at the renowned Eagle Trace Golf Club, continuing its proud tradition of excellence and competitive spirit.