The 2026 Golfweek Player of the Year Classic
Presented By
January 16-18, 2026
Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate
The International Course
ChampionsGate, FL
1200 Points
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Join us January 16-18, 2026, for the Golfweek Player of the Year Classic, where on Friday night, January 16, at THE CHAMPIONS DINNER, Golfweek will honor the 2025 top three nationally ranked players in each division. USA Today Sports will also present the Yancey Ford Award to Mike McCoy, winner of both the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur. Mike was also the captain of the victorious USA Walker Cup team in 2023 on the old course at St. Andrews.
The International Course at Champions Gate was designed by Greg Norman and is known for its distinctive features and challenging layout. The International offers a unique playing experience with its traditional links-style setup, reminiscent of the great courses of Scotland and Ireland.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All Golfweek senior amateur tournaments are certified WAGR-counting events leading to 25 exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur to be held August 29 - September 3 at Baltimore Country Club (East Course), Baltimore, MD.
PAST CHAMPIONS
2025 OMNI ORLANDO RESORT
SENIOR - KEVIN VANDENBERG
SUPER SENIOR - RICHARD KERPER
LEGENDS - DON DONATONI
SUPER LEGENDS - FRANK POLIZZI
2024 OMNI ORLANDO RESORT 2021 LAKE JOVITA - South
SENIOR - MATT AVRIL SENIOR - RUSTY STRAW
SUPER SENIOR - STEVE SHARPE SUPER SENIOR - TIM POPE
LEGENDS - BEV HARGRAVES LEGENDS - JIM KAMIS
SUPER LEGENDS - FRANK COSTANZO SUPER LEGENDS - WALT MARTIN
2023 TAMPA PALMS GOLF & CC 2020 PGA NATIONAL - Palmer
SENIOR - MIKE FINSTER SENIOR - JOHN WRIGHT
SUPER SENIOR - STEVE HUMPHREY SUPER SENIOR - MARK WESTON
LEGENDS - DONATONI / HARGRAVES LEGENDS - FRED CLARK
SUPER LEGENDS - GENE BINGMAN SUPER LEGENDS - CHARLIE BUSBEE
2022 TAMPA PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 2019 LAKE JOVITA
SENIOR - MILES McCONNELL SENIOR - KEN KINKOPF
SUPER SENIOR - DUKE DELCHER SUPER SENIOR - GEORGE WALKER
LEGENDS - PETE ALLEN LEGENDS - DAVE RASLEY
SUPER LEGENDS - DENNY ADKINS
Tournament Facts:
Eligibility:
- Amateur Golfers, aged 55 and over by January 16, 2026.
-Handicap Index of 8.0 or lower
- Carts are mandatory, no caddies.
Four Divisions:
-Senior age 55-64
-Super Senior age 65-69
-Legends age 70-74
-Super Legends age 75+
Tees:
-Senior Division will play approximately 6300-6700 yards
-Super Senior Division will play approximately 6000-6300 yards
-Legends Division will play approximately 5700-6000 yards
-Super Legends Division will play 5400-5700 yards
The yardage is APPROXIMATE and will be determined by course conditions and might vary from day to day.
Conditions of Play:
The current USGA Rules of Golf and Interpretations shall govern play.
Tournament Registration $875.00 includes.
- Three (3) tournament rounds with cart
- Merchandise prize pool of $80.00 per player.
- Champions Dinner and awards, on Friday evening, January 16, honoring the 2025 players of the year in each division.
- USA Today Sports/Golfweek will also present the esteemed YANCEY FORD AWARD to Mr. Mike McCoy
Practice Rounds:
- Practice rounds are available in advance at the special rate of $125++. Times are available on a space-available basis starting Monday, January 12, through Wednesday, January 14, 2025. NOTE: FLORIDA RESIDENTS OR THOSE IN THE AREA, PLEASE PLAY YOUR PRACTICE ROUND EARLIER IN THE WEEK, AS SPACE IS LIMITED ON THE 15TH. Call the pro shop at 407-390-6664 and select option 3 to make your tee time. Please identify yourself as a Golfweek POY participant.
Accommodations are not included; however, many options are available in the Orlando area. The best rates at the Omni Orlando Resort can be found on the Omni Resort website HERE!
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, January 15
Optional Practice Round: Not included in registration and must be reserved in advance.
Tournament registration will be near the pro shop from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM.
Friday, January 16
8:00 AM: ROUND 1 starting on #1 and #10 Tee
6:30 PM: The 2025 Player of the Year Dinner, followed by the presentation of the Yancey Ford award to Mike McCoy. Included in your entry fee, and everyone is encouraged to attend!
Saturday, January 17
8:00 AM: ROUND 2 starting on #1 and #10 Tee
Afternoon & Evening: On your own
Sunday, January 18
8:00 AM: ROUND 3 starting on #1 and #10 Tee - Awards presentation immediately following the conclusion of each division.
Departures
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Helpful Links: The Omni Resort at Champions Gate
Other lodging options: VRBO
Golfweek National Senior Rankings: HERE
Contact Us:
Please contact Ron Gaines if you have questions about this tournament: rgaines@golfweek.com
Cancellation Policy:
Deadline to register: January 12, 2026, or until the field is full
Before November 16, 2025: Full refund minus $100 cancellation fee
November 16, 2025 - December 16, 2025: 50% Refund
After December 16, 2025: No Refund
IMPORTANT NOTE: All withdrawals from the tournament MUST go through Ron Gaines, rgaines@golfweek.com to receive a refund (if applicable). Do not withdraw from the Golf Genius application, as we were not notified, and you are cleared from the registration system, with no way to process a refund. These cancellation dates coincide with our payment dates to The Orlando Omni Resort, so there are NO exceptions. Thank you.