A Historic Celebration Honoring 80 Years of Women’s Golf
Eighty years ago, Spokane forever changed the game of golf.
In 1946, Spokane Country Club—known today as Kalispel Golf and Country Club—hosted the very first U.S. Women’s Open Championship, creating a defining moment in sports history and paving the way for generations of female athletes.
Now, in 2026, Spokane will once again take center stage.
Spokane80, taking place August 7-8, 2026, is a community-wide celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of this groundbreaking event while honoring the women who have shaped the game over the past eight decades.
More than a golf event, Spokane80 is a celebration of legacy, leadership, and the power of sport to inspire future generations.
Returning to Where History Was Made
Long before women’s professional sports received the recognition they deserve today, a group of trailblazing athletes gathered in Spokane to compete on one of golf’s biggest stages.
The inaugural Women’s National Open Golf Championship (U.S. Women’s Open) represented far more than a championship—it symbolized opportunity, progress, and a future that would continue expanding for women in sports.
Eighty years later, Spokane has an opportunity to reconnect with that historic moment while introducing an entirely new generation to its significance.
“This is about celebrating where women’s golf began while inspiring where it can go next,” said Jerid Keefer of Sunshine Club. “Very few communities can say they played a foundational role in the history of a global sport. Spokane can.”
A Weekend Built Around Celebration and Connection
Hosted at Kalispel Golf and Country Club, Spokane80 will bring together golf legends, community leaders, youth golfers, corporate partners, and fans for an unforgettable weekend of experiences.
Attendees can expect a blend of storytelling, golf, history, and interactive programming designed to honor the past while investing in the future.
Highlights of the celebration will include:
- Special appearances from influential figures in women’s golf (Nancy Lopez, Sandra Palmer and Blair O’Neal)
- A commemorative Pro-Am experience
- Youth Clinic
- Exclusive hospitality experiences
- Commemorative merchandise
Throughout the weekend, participants will have opportunities to connect with the pioneers who helped build the game and the next generation preparing to carry it forward.
Tickets
Individual Events
Investing in the Future of the Game
While Spokane80 celebrates history, its mission is firmly rooted in the future.
Proceeds and community initiatives connected to the event will support youth golf opportunities throughout the Inland Northwest, helping remove barriers and create access for young players to experience the game.
Every partnership, sponsorship, and participation opportunity contributes to building pathways for future golfers.
By connecting history with impact, Spokane80 aims to ensure that the story that began in Spokane in 1946 continues for decades to come.
A Community-Wide Celebration
Spokane80 is designed to bring together more than just golf enthusiasts.
It is an invitation for the entire community to participate in a milestone that belongs to Spokane.
Whether you are a lifelong golfer, a sports fan, a business leader, or simply someone who appreciates the power of history and community, Spokane80 offers an opportunity to be part of something larger than a single event.
It is a celebration of the women who opened doors, the champions who elevated the game, and the young athletes who will define its future.
Join Us August 7-8, 2026
Eighty years ago, Spokane helped launch one of the most important championships in sports.
In 2026, we return to where it all began.
Join us August 7-8 at Kalispel Golf and Country Club as we celebrate the pioneers, honor the legacy, and inspire the next generation.
Because some stories deserve to be told again—and some moments deserve to be relived together.
For more information, partnership opportunities, and event updates, visit Spokane80.com.
