STANFORD, Calif. - For the first time in its history, the Stanford men's golf program will host its signature home tournament with the generous support of a title sponsor.
Now in its 53rd edition, The Goodwin Presented by Palo Alto Networks, is scheduled for March 30-April 1, and will be hosted at the prestigious TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. The Goodwin Presented by Palo Alto Networks features 54-hole stroke play over three days with a College Amateur pro event slated for Wednesday, March 29.
"The Stanford men's golf program is proud to play host to such a historic event on a golf course that matches its prestige," said Conrad Ray, Stanford's Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf. "Top level collegiate golf at TPC Harding Park is exciting to consider. The Goodwin Presented by Palo Alto Networks also celebrates the legacy of Coach Wally Goodwin, who worked diligently throughout his career to promote college golf at all levels. He loved eclectic fields on great golf courses, and we have both with The Goodwin. It is a huge honor to welcome Palo Alto Networks to the fold as our presenting sponsor. They have invested in student athletes who will be leaders and influencers throughout their careers both on and off the course."
Formerly named the U.S. Collegiate Invitational, The Goodwin was renamed in 2014 in honor of legendary head coach Wally Goodwin, whose tenure on The Farm lasted from 1987-2000. Goodwin led Stanford to the 1994 NCAA title, its first since 1953, while finishing second in 1995. A two-time National Coach of the Year and two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, Goodwin guided the Cardinal to a pair of conference championships and produced seven All-Americans. Goodwin helped revive a struggling Stanford program and returned it to national prominence by recruiting Tiger Woods, Notah Begay III, Casey Martin, Joel Kribel, and Ray, among many other notables.
Fittingly, Stanford's feature home tournament will return to one of the country's elite courses, with TPC Harding Park set to host the event for the second time in school history after serving as headquarters in 2018. TPC Harding Park has played host to numerous PGA Tour events, including the 2009 Presidents Cup and the 2020 PGA Championship.
"As the crown jewel golf course in San Francisco's Recreation & Parks portfolio, TPC Harding Park is thrilled to host the 2023 Goodwin Invitational Presented by Palo Alto Networks," said Tom Smith, PGA General Manager. "We are excited to once again welcome some of the nation's top collegiate athletes to test their skill on the same course enjoyed by the public, and Touring professionals alike. TPC Harding Park has a rich history of hosting high level tournaments and the opportunity to continue adding to this legacy is certainly a testament to how extraordinary this property is within the golfing world."
Named after United States President Warren G. Harding, Harding Park Golf Course was opened on July 18, 1925, along the shores of Lake Merced, in San Francisco's southwest corner. The initial 18-hole, 163-acre course was designed by Willie Watson and Sam Whiting, who also designed the nearby Olympic Club Lake Course.
Boasting one of its strongest fields in recent memory, The Goodwin Presented by Palo Alto Networks, will feature a 28-team field that also includes Arkansas Little-Rock, BYU, California, Cal Poly, Colorado, Florida Atlantic, Fresno State, Georgia Tech, Howard, Lipscomb, Mercer, Nevada, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Saint Mary's, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose State, Santa Clara, SMU, UC Davis, UCLA, Utah, USC, Washington and Washington State.
Stanford has won the event 16 times (1968, 1970-75, 1980, 1983, 1989, 1995, 2007, 2013-14, 2017, 2019). The Cardinal has produced 16 individual tournament champions: Sandy Adelman (1968), Gary Vanier (1970), Tom Watson (1971), Conrad Nilmeier (1973), Dave Baskins (1974), Mike Peck (1976), Mike Milliken (1990), Casey Martin (1995), Joel Kribel (1996-97), Phil Rowe (2002), Rob Grube (2006-07), Patrick Rodgers (2014), Maverick McNealy (2015) and Brandon Wu (2019).