The Cliffs at Mountain Park to Host 102nd Carolinas Open
Historic Event Returns to South Carolina with PGA REACH Charity Pro-Am
For Immediate Release
November 17, 2025
MARIETTA, SC – The Carolinas PGA is pleased to announce The Cliffs at Mountain Park will serve as the host venue for the 102nd Carolinas Open, scheduled for July 13-16, 2026. This marks a significant milestone as one of the PGA of America's oldest and most respected state opens celebrates over a century of competitive excellence while establishing a new partnership with The Cliffs. Defending Champion Colin Salema, a member of the Clemson University Golf Team, will look to defend his title against an elite field.
The Carolinas Open, established in 1923, represents more than 100 years of championship tradition and has crowned legendary champions including Dow Finsterwald (1947, 1948, 1952), Bobby Locke (1954), and Davis Love Jr. (1964). The 54-hole stroke play championship brings together 156 qualified PGA professionals and amateurs from across North and South Carolina, with competitors earning their spots through seven local qualifiers. The Cliffs at Mountain Park, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, will provide a stunning backdrop for this historic event, offering players and spectators alike an incredible championship experience amid the natural beauty of the region.
PICTURED: 2025 Carolinas Open Champion Colin Salema
The championship week will begin with the PGA REACH Carolinas Pro-Am on Monday, July 13, 2026, featuring competitors in the event, members at The Cliffs, corporate partners, and supporters in a dedicated fundraising event. Premium player gifts, on-course hospitality, and a post-round reception, will set the tone for a meaningful start to championship week while supporting programs that introduce golf to veterans, youth, and underrepresented communities throughout the Carolinas.
"This partnership represents more than just hosting a tournament," said Jeff Abbot, CEO of the Carolinas PGA. "Together, we will create a best-in-class event, and The Cliffs' beauty, exclusivity, and culture will be showcased to the Carolinas’ golf community."
“We are thrilled that The Cliffs at Mountain Park has been chosen to host the 102nd Carolinas Open,” said Rob Duckett, President of The Cliffs. “It’s an honor for the community to be part of one of the PGA’s most venerated state opens and to support the pursuit of excellence in golf which is foundational to The Cliffs’ mission.”
For more information about the 2026 Carolinas Open, visit carolinas.pga.com
The Cliffs: The Cliffs is a collection of seven private, luxury residential mountain and lake club communities located in the Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, between two of the nation’s top award-winning cities for quality of life – Greenville, S.C. and Asheville, N.C. – and Clemson, S.C., home to top-ranked Clemson University. The Cliffs’ suite of amenities for club members includes seven clubhouses, seven nationally recognized golf courses, seven wellness centers, multiple tennis and pickleball complexes, first padel courts at a private community in South Carolina, a marina, beach club, and equestrian center, more than a dozen restaurant and private event venues, and over 2,000 year-round programs and social activities to create timeless experiences. Homes at The Cliffs range in price from $800,000 to $6M+; homesites, starting at $125,000. For more information about real estate or membership, please visit CliffsLiving.com
The Carolinas PGA: Based in Greensboro, NC, the Carolinas PGA is one of 41 sections of the PGA of America, representing more than 2,500 PGA professionals across North Carolina and South Carolina who are committed to growing the game of golf and serving their communities.
PGA REACH Carolinas: PGA REACH Carolinas is the charitable foundation of the Carolinas PGA, focused on positively impacting lives through Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives that introduce people to golf and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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