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STREET. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – It’s a decades-old New Year’s culture that Richard Hope has followed for more than 40 years.
“For whatever reason, this club kept this tournament going through the 30s, and 40s and 50s,” said Hope.
This week, the New Year’s Invitational Golf Tournament kicked off in St. John’s. John’s. Petersburg Country Club for the 98th consecutive year and welcomes St. Petersburg to St. Petersburg. Petersburg. Pete to college players and fans across the country.
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“There’s a lot of universities represented, a lot of mid-ams and juniors, too,” said 2023 champion CJ Easley. “It’s just, from top to bottom, really good competition.”
As a former competitor of the New Years Invitational, Hope is now the tournament director and has noticed this annual culture growing.
“For sure, 42 years ago, maybe 30 years ago, it was a tournament with a lot of local fans,” Hope recalls.
From a local event to today, the New Years Invitational has gotten bigger.
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“I think this year we received over 250 registrations for what has become a 100-player field,” Hope said.
As the tournament prepares to celebrate its centennial, players continue to return to St. Petersburg. John’s. Petersburg Country Club only to face tough competition, but also to be a component of history.
“It’s been going on for a hundred years and there are a lot of other people on this trophy. It’s great to be a part of it,” said two-time champion Rémi Chartier.
Since the tournament’s trophy bears the name of future PGA Tour winners and Masters champions, it is a history that the golfers that return each year, along with Hope, are proud to be a part of.
The final round of the New Years Invitational concludes Saturday in St. Petersburg. John’s. Petersburg Country Club and public participation is free.
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