2026 Evans Scholars Invitational

The Evans Scholars Invitational golf tournament is back at The Glen Club in Glenview July 23-26, 2026. First held in 2019, the Evans Scholars  Invitational (formerly the NV5 Invitational) has been a popular stop on the road to the PGA TOUR.

Pre-Tournament Notes

• The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Season continues this week with the Evans Scholars Invitational, the 17th tournament of the 25-event schedule.
• Field includes eight PGA TOUR winners with 14 career victories, led by Ryan Palmer with four career wins.
• Field includes 56 Korn Ferry Tour winners with 80 career victories, led by four-time winners Chesson Hadley and Robby Shelton.
• Thomas Rosenmueller (2024) is the lone past champion of Evans Scholars Invitational in the field.
• 11 players in the field are top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking: Blades Brown (No. 97), Doc Redman (No. 127), Ian Holt (No. 152), Cole Sherwood (No. 156), Ross Steelman (No. 160), Davis Lamb (No. 167), Jeremy Gandon (No. 178), Carson Young (No. 188), Drew Nesbitt (No. 197), Jay Card III (No. 199), Alistair Docherty (No. 200).

Doc Redman and Ian Holt, Nos. 1 and 3 on the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, respectively, are the only multi-time winners this season. Should either win for a third time this season, they will earn an automatic promotion to the PGA TOUR via the Three-Victory Promotion. Matt McCarty (2024) was the last player to achieve the feat.

19-year-old Blades Brown, who stands No. 12 on the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, earned Special Temporary Membership for the remainder of the 2026 PGA TOUR Season, granting him a position in the Priority Ranking and allowing him to accept an unlimited number of sponsor exemptions.

Evans Scholars Invitational History

• The Glen Club has hosted all but one iteration of the Evans Scholars Invitational, with Chicago Highlands Club serving as the 2020 host due to schedule changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Glen Club, a Tom Fazio design built on the former Naval Air Station Glenview, previously hosted the Korn Ferry Tour’s LaSalle Bank Open from 2002 through 2008.
• Three winners of the Evans Scholars Invitational have gone on to become PGA TOUR winners: Scottie Scheffler (2019), Cameron Young (2021), and Harry Hall (2022).
• Scheffler has since gone on to become world No. 1, a four-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year, and a 20-time winner on TOUR, marking the most TOUR victories by a Korn Ferry Tour alum.

Year Winner Score (RTP) Margin
2025 Johnny Keefer 258 (-26) 2 strokes
2024 Thomas Rosenmueller 259 (-25) 2 strokes
2023 Trace Crowe 259 (-25) Playoff
2022 Harry Hall 262 (-22) Playoff
2021 Cameron Young 266 (-18) 5 strokes
2020 Curtis Thompson 271 (-17) 1 stroke
2019 Scottie Scheffler 271 (-17) Playoff

Understanding the Korn Ferry Tour: The Pathway to the PGA TOUR

The Evans Scholars Invitational’s significance is deeply intertwined with its placement on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Korn Ferry Tour is considered the “minor league” of golf – a critical steppingstone for aspiring golfers striving to reach the pinnacle of their profession: the PGA TOUR. There have been some very famous players that have gotten their start on the Korn Ferry Tour.

A Launchpad for Stars

Some notable players who honed their skills on the Korn Ferry Tour before gracing the PGA TOUR include Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, and Cameron Young. These players are just a few examples of Korn Ferry Tour success stories, showcasing it as a pathway to stardom.

Scottie Scheffler won the inaugural championship and has gone on to become the No. 1 player in the world. Past champions also include 2022 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Cameron Young (2021) and Harry Hall, who recently won for the first time on the PGA TOUR.

Points, Rankings, and the Dream of “The 25”

The Korn Ferry Tour operates on a points system throughout the season. Players are awarded points based on their finishing positions at each tournament. The ultimate goal for Korn Ferry Tour players is to earn a coveted spot among “The 25” at the end of the season, which refers to the top 25 players on the Korn Ferry Tour points list. Making it into “The 25” grants players automatic PGA TOUR membership for the following season.

Experiencing The Glen Club: A Jewel of Illinois Golf

A crucial element contributing to the unique allure of the Evans Scholars Invitational golf tournament is its spectacular setting – The Glen Club. Located at the former site of the Glenview Naval Air Station, The Glen Club sits at the heart of a 195-acre refuge that features rolling terrain, dramatic elevation changes, tranquil lakes, meandering streams and stunning vistas, including the Chicago skyline in the distance.

With four sets of tees that can stretch close to 7,200 yards, this is a shotmakers track in which the brilliance of Fazio clearly shines. His use of elevation changes, subtle slopes and detailed bunkering require a constant mental dialogue to pick targets and what to avoid.

The 48,000 square foot clubhouse at The Glen Glub opened in 2001, and is ranked #2 among Chicago’s top 10 public golf course clubhouses. Even before the grounds opened, the clubhouse was selected to be the home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame and office headquarters of the Illinois Section PGA. And with the club’s opening in 2001 the course was named to all three Top-10 new course lists published by Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Sports Illustrated, a recognition that no other course in the U.S. had ever achieved.

Planning Your Visit to the Evans Scholars Invitational Golf Tournament

Attending the Evans Scholars Invitational golf tournament can be a highlight for any golf fan. The 2026 Evans Scholars Invitational, held July 23rd through the 26th, will bring together some of golf’s rising stars in a fun and relaxing environment. 

FAQs about the Evans Scholars invitational golf tournament

How can I access tickets for free?

Spectators can register in advance at esinvitational.com to claim their free tickets, complimentary grounds admission is available all four days of the Evans Scholars Invitational championship at no charge.

What is the schedule for the Evans Scholars golf tournament?

Gates open at 6:30 AM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7AM on Sunday. Tee times begin at 6:30 AM on Thursday and Friday, 7:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

Where is the Evans Scholars Invitational?

The tournament takes place annually at The Glen Club, located at 2901 W Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60026. 

Is parking available the Evans Scholars Invitational?

There are two available parking lots. Volunteers, members, media and general spectators will park in C-Lot, which is the Glen Town Center’s South Parking deck. Access to the C-Lot can be found at the intersection of Aviator Lane and Tower Drive. All Corona Cabana ticket holders and VIPs will park in the B-Lot, which is the Glen Town Center’s North Parking deck. Access to the B-Lot is at the intersection of W. Lake Ave and Valor Drive.