FOUNDATION LAID
The U.S. Senior Open leadership team is particularly excited 
about the opportunity to leverage the Dunes’ on-property 
lodging. In the past, we would have likely built up an entire 
tent city for the event; one that had to be dismantled after 
as well. We don’t have to manufacture something artificial 
or trendy. The lodging, walkability of the property, intimacy 
of the setting, and hospitality culture that Prairie Dunes is 
known for already provide a tremendous foundation. 
“We’re exploring ways to use that unique inventory to create 
curated experiences for sponsors, fans, players, caddies, and 
families. Whether it’s hospitality, behind-the-scenes access, 
small-group gatherings, or opportunities to connect with the 
championship in a more personal way, our property gives 
us flexibility that many venues simply don’t have,” explains 
Fee. “What excites us the most is the challenge of figuring 
out how to bring those assets together in a way that creates 
memorable experiences for everyone involved.”
Allen Fee and the U.S. Senior Open team want to thank the 
Prairie Dunes membership and staff in advance for rallying 
around the Club and its mission to present an unmatched 
experience and set the standard for national Championships. 
Thompson also expresses his gratitude: “The Prairie Dunes 
family — members and staff — can take immense pride in 
knowing they extended hospitality at their club to the very 
best golfers in the world.” 
Please keep an eye out for sponsorship and volunteer 
opportunities. Make hotel reservations for your friends and 
family as early as possible and watch for Dunes-branded U.S. 
Senior Open merchandise to drop in 2027.
U.S. SENIOR OPEN LEADERBOARD
•	 Introduced in 1980 and recognized as a Major for 
PGA Tour Champions and European Senior Tour
•	 PD will be the ninth venue to host two or more U.S. 
Senior Opens (2006 & 2029). Thirty-six different 
venues have hosted since its inception and eight 
have hosted two or more times
•	 First winner was Argentinian Roberto DeVicenzo. 
The 2025 & 2026, back-to-back champion was 
three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington
•	 A 156-player Open field 
•	 72-hole medal play; 36-hole cut to the low 60 
players and ties; two-hole aggregate playoff 
followed by sudden death, if needed
•	 $4M purse in 2026; $800K winner’s share
•	 Players can receive a medical exemption to play 
from a golf cart
•	 Event was canceled only once, in 2020, due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic
•	 Notables turning 50 between now and the 2029 U.S. 
Senior Open: Major Championship winners Bubba 
Watson, Jason Dufner, Ben Curtis, Geoff Ogilvy, 
Jimmie Walker, Lucas Glover, Graeme McDowell and 
Trevor Immelman; PGA Tour winners Paul Casey, 
Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Streelman and 
Charles Howell III
THE FIELD IS 
WIDE “OPEN”
No native Kansans have ever won the U.S. Senior Open. 
Tom Watson and Jim Colbert both had runner-up finishes, 
including Watson’s dramatic runner-up finish to Allen Doyle 
at PD in 2006.
USGA’s Hank Thompson wants to remind everyone the event 
is wide open to qualifiers, including Dunes members, who 
meet a few simple USGA criteria: 50+ years old and a USGA 
official GHIN handicap of 2.4 or lower. Watch for information 
on local qualifying sites and dates on USGA.com. 
WILL YOU BE THE FIRST U.S. SENIOR 
OPEN CHAMPION FROM KANSAN?
Allen Doyle,
2006 Prairie Dunes U.S. Senior 
Open Tournament Winner
Tom Watson,
2006 Prairie Dunes U.S. Senior 
Open Tournament Runner-Up
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