Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club — Tampa, Florida
The Gasparilla Invitational
Est. 1932. Amateur since 1956.
72nd Playing · February 18–20, 2027The Gasparilla began in 1932 as a PGA Tour stop, timed to the city's annual pirate invasion. Walter Hagen won his last professional title here in 1935. It went quiet as a pro event soon after — then returned in 1956 as a strictly amateur championship, and has stayed one since.
Read the Full History →Ninety-Some Years on the Same Ground
How the Field Is Built
The Gasparilla's 144-player field is built first on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, with past performance at the Gasparilla itself weighed alongside it. USGA champions, select Allied Golf Association champions, and winners from other prominent national invitationals round out the exemption categories.
A handful of spots remain open each year beyond those exemptions, settled the Monday of tournament week when a qualifier gives any player a chance to post his way into the field. Fifty-four holes of stroke play follow, with a cut to the low 60 and ties after 36. Senior amateurs compete under the same criteria as the rest of the field, with the low senior score recognized each year.
What Gets Said
"You have to see a Gasparilla Saturday to believe it."Kris MarshallArizona State Amateur Champion
"There's a reason people say it's the best mid-amateur event in the country."Shane BaconGolf Broadcaster & Media Personality
"This membership is second to none. Palma Ceia has gotten on the national map because of Gasparilla."Jack HallSenior Amateur Hall of Fame
"Every great club has a signature event. Gasparilla is ours."Paul RoyakPalma Ceia Member, Florida State Player of the Year
"The members love hosting this event and they make it an exciting environment to compete in. I look forward to playing every year."Matt ParzialeU.S. Mid-Amateur Champion
"Donald Ross course, Florida in February, and a first-class event make the Gasparilla a great experience."Buddy AlexanderU.S. Amateur Champion