The Punta Mita Invitational isn't just another pro-am. Here's why

The Punta Mita Invitational isn’t trying to be just another pro-am. Now in its 11th year, the event has turned into one of golf’s most unique experiences — an intersection of high-level competition and luxury accommodations at one of the most gorgeous destinations in the the sport.

The event, founded in 2014, brings together passionate amateurs, Tour winners and industry leaders. The most recent playing wrapped up in January. Here’s what you should know about it and, better yet, how you can get involved next time.

A dynamite field

Punta Mita is different from a traditional pro-am due to its accessibility of the professional field. The 2026 lineup featured major champions, Tour winners and international standouts. They weren’t distant celebrities but teammates, dinner companions and, at some moments, beachside storytellers.

Michael Campbell, the 2005 U.S. Open champion, served as event host, anchoring a field that included Players champ Fred Funk and pros like Stuart Appleby, Chris DiMarco, Heath Slocum, John Rollins, Ricky Barnes, Notah Begay III and Esteban Toledo. The invitational rotates pros with amateurs daily, so all three rounds are played with a different star.

Teams of three amateurs (and their rotating pro) compete over three rounds for the title. But this isn’t high-stress and mega pressure — think more like a high-end member-guest. There’s drinks and there’s laughs — but there’s also competition, like the annual shootout, where pros split into two teams for a four-hole match. Better yet, it’s played in front of guests, homeowners and resort members. It’s also a blast.

An overhead view of some of the off-course fun. Courtesy Photo

A destination worth visiting

The location itself is a star. Once a quiet peninsula for surfers and fishermen, Punta Mita was transformed by developer DINE into a private luxury enclave featuring world-class real estate, curated amenities and two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses.

The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita opened in 1999, and today Punta Mita is home to four elite hotel properties: Four Seasons, St. Regis Punta Mita, Montage Punta Mita and Pendry Punta Mita. There’s also 20 residential (and private) communities. The St. Regis Punta Mita plays as event host, and here guests enjoy five nights of luxury accommodations, beach access and spa experiences. There’s also nightly social events.

The golf, of course, is good too. The most famous hole might be the Pacifico Course’s “Tail of the Whale” island green. It appears and disappears with the tides — so it can only be played when accessible — and is truly a bucket-list experience. (As long as the tide’s on your side.)

The Tail of the Whale, hole 3B, at the Pacifico Course. Evan Schiller

Outside the ropes

If the days belong to golf, the nights belong to Punta Mita.

Evenings unfold with sunset happy hours, beachside gatherings and standout dining experiences — including a memorable night at Hector’s Kitchen, recently named one of Mexico’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2026 by renowned critic Marco Beteta.

This is where the Invitational separates itself. As pros linger over mezcal and amateurs trade stories, genuine connections form and business relationships soften into friendships. Clients become playing partners. And the line between competitor and companion disappears.

“The idea from the beginning was never just great golf,” says Derek Oakey, the event founder. “When Carl Emberson and I started this in 2014, we wanted it to feel different, something that truly embraced the vibe of Punta Mita. Over the years it’s grown into an experience that’s just as much about the people and the place as it is the competition.”

The ideal environment has also morphed into an intriguing location to host high-value clients and prospects, as access like this can’t be replicated in a traditional hospitality tent.

The future

The 2026 Punta Mita Invitational was the second edition of a new partnership with 8AM Golf, which is focused on growing the game and elevating the golfer experience. With deep relationships across professional golf, media, instruction and equipment, 8AM Golf brings credibility, access and operational excellence, helping take an already special event to an entirely new level.

And 11 years in, the Punta Mita Invitational has become something increasingly rare in modern golf: an event that feels exclusive without feeling inaccessible, and competitive without losing its soul.

Paradise doesn’t just surround the golf — it becomes a part of it. To learn more, click here.

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