Ponce De Leon Invitational – History of the Ponce
Looking to hold a golf challenge with his friends, Neil Thomson decided to introduce a golf event similar to the Ryder Cup in January 2003. In the early days, there was no assurance that there would be enough interest for the tournament to become an annual event. Thomson proposed the event be called The Ponce De Leon Invitational.
Many decisions from the early days of the Tournament remain today. Among these are the four rounds of competitive play, which allow the captains to select the Final-Round singles matches.
The first tournament was held the first week of January, 2003 with just 8 players. Typically, the field is typically 16 strong with a waiting list of at least that many. Three times, the Ponce has taken 14-16 players across the pond to play Team Great Britain: 2012 in St. Andrews, 2018 in Sunningdale and Royal St. George’s and 2024 in Yorkshire. The Ponce is scheduled each year and played at the World’s finest golf venues. To assist the community, each year a generous contribution is made by the players of the Tournament benefiting a charity that is selected by that year’s Chairman.
We hope that the Ponce stages a golf tournament that is enjoyable to our players, patrons and the golf community.
The Ponce is strictly an invitation Tournament.