Hornblower Invitational Preview

Plymouth CC will welcome another strong field this week for the 61st Hornblower Invitational on May 30-31.

The 156-player event is a 36-hole stroke-play championship with an 18-hole cut at the par 69 Donald Ross design.

Last year, Jake Shuman shot 67-65 to win by two shots over Adam Friedman. Five players shot 65 in the opening round, but none of them could back up that stellar round and maintain the lead. Eli Spaulding was the low junior golfer, and he’s returning this year after his first year of college at Loyola-Maryland. He’s also the reigning Maine Amateur champion.

The event is rich in history. Named after a close friend of Donald Ross, Harry Hornblower, the tournament began in the 1930s after Hornblower saved the club from financial ruin during the Great Depression. However, as it gained steam, World War II put a pause on any recreation. Tragically, Harry Hornblower would die of a heart attack in 1940 while visiting Pinehurst in 1940.

Between the war and Hornblower’s death, the tournament was forgotten until the original Hornblower Trophy was discovered in the back of a closet in 1962 by Skeeter Ellis on a rainy day. The club resurrected the event to give regional players an opportunity to kick off the competitive season.

Related: A Rainy Day Discovery and the Rebirth of a Prestigious Tournament (Northeast Golf Magazine)

The weather often plays a major factor at Plymouth CC. In 2023, the first round was drenched in sunshine and heat, but the second round was played in extreme cold and sleet. Aidan Emmerich conquered that year while wearing many layers on Saturday.

This year, it looks like there might be a chance of rain, but the temps look pleasant.

Fourteen players will represent the host course in this year’s field. Another cool part of this tournament is that the club runs it on its own. Skeeter Ellis’ son, Mike Ellis, is the organizer, and the club depends on volunteers to score, spot, and keep the trains on time throughout the entire week.

Tee times and live scoring

This post will continue for paid subscribers. It includes:

• Nine players to watch this week

• Intriguing pairings

• Three holes that could decide the championship

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