TRINITY, Texas — Twenty-one years later, Sam Saunders looked around Whispering Pines Golf Club and couldn’t quite get over how much had changed, including his own role.
Saunders played in the Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship in 2005. Now 39, retired from professional golf and captain of Team USA, he’s back at Whispering Pines as the event gets underway this week.
“And this is my third of these,” Saunders said after Tuesday’s opening ceremony, which is about 90 minutes from Houston. “It’s kind of wild for me that I played in this thing 21 years ago. Pretty much every player on my team was born the year I played. Actually, I think all of them were born the year that I played. It’s weird.
“I’m out there feeling like I want to compete
with them. But it’s so cool to be back, and this is such a special place.”
The Spirit begins Wednesday at the Chet Williams-designed golf course in Trinity, Texas, with 80 of the world’s top amateurs representing 20 countries and six continents. The Olympic-style competition runs through Saturday.
For Saunders, it’s a full-circle assignment.
He represented the U.S. at the Spirit in 2005 alongside Jamie Lovemark, Amanda McCurdy and Paige Mackenzie, with the Americans finishing tied for second with South Africa. More than two decades later, Saunders has returned to lead four of the country’s top amateurs.
His memories of that first Spirit are less about the scores than the experience.
“I remember sleeping in a cabin with bunk beds,” Saunders recalled. “I mean, Jamie Lovemark, my teammate, Jason Day was in the bunk bed next to me. It’s just kind of crazy to think back to that time.”
That experience remains an important part of the Spirit. Even as elite amateur golf has changed dramatically, especially in the NIL era, players still stay together in cabins at Whispering Pines and spend the week in a setting designed to create relationships beyond the competition.
“So many of them are so accomplished,” Saunders said. “In this world of modern sports with NIL and everything, they are living lives that are pretty unique for their age. But the joy that I see on all their faces when they come back here, they’re in cabins together, they’re doing it the way they used to.
“I think it’s something that’s really unique and really fun for them, and it gives them a little bit of balance in a life right now that can be a lot at a young age.”
Saunders credited Corby Robertson, the founder of the Spirit and the man who envisioned Whispering Pines, and the Robertson family for creating an event that does more than showcase some of the best young golfers in the world.
“What Corby and the Robertson family do to put this event on, and their support with the Spirit Foundation, is such a meaningful thing in the game of golf,” Saunders said. “You get a guy like Corby, who’s done something here who is really making a positive impact on the game, bringing young people together and creating relationships and camaraderie and laughs that last a lifetime. It’s pretty cool.”
When Saunders announced his retirement from professional golf in 2024 after a 15-year career, Arnold Palmer’s grandson wasn’t exactly sure what would come next. But he knew he wasn’t leaving the game. Two years later, that next chapter is taking shape.
After making more than 150 career starts across the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, Saunders joined the Arnold Palmer Group in November 2024 as vice president of partnerships. The organization works to continue Palmer’s legacy and philanthropic efforts through programs that include the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation and Arnold Palmer Cup.
The stage is set at Whispering Pines.
— Spirit Golf Association (@thespiritgolf) November 10, 2026
Players and captains from around the world have arrived in Trinity, Texas, as the 2026 Spirit gets underway.
Today, we welcome our Country Team Sponsors to the course ahead of this afternoon’s Opening Ceremonies.
Welcome to The Spirit. pic.twitter.com/bxqYb0NeD5
The transition also gave Saunders something his professional golf career rarely did: a team.
“I played an individual sport my whole life, so for me to be part of a team and help in any way that I can to help these great people that are working for the organization has been pretty cool,” he said.
Now he has another team to lead.
Saunders succeeds Nathan Smith, who served as Team USA captain in 2024, and will be assisted by Texas Golf Hall of Fame executive director Alli Jarrett.
He doesn’t pretend his four players need much coaching. On the U.S. roster is Jack Turner, a three-time All-American who replaced Miles Russell, who withdrew after accepting a sponsor invitation to play in the PGA Tour’s Austin Championship. Turner joins Ethan Fang, Farah O’Keefe and Anna Davis on a loaded U.S. roster.
“There’s not a lot of coaching or education that I can give them,” Saunders said. “They’re all very seasoned. But I have played this golf course a lot. I’ve been around the block a few times now, so to be able to just get in there and be a part of it with them and watch them showcase their skills is pretty fun.”
🇺🇸 Team USA is set for the 2026 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship!
— Spirit Golf Association (@thespiritgolf) October 19, 2026
Ethan Fang, Anna Davis, Jack Turner & Farah O’Keefe.
Capt. Sam Saunders returns 21 years after competing in 2005.
Nov 11–14 at Whispering Pines GC, Trinity, TX.#TheSpirit #USA pic.twitter.com/sKbQhB27TN
The Spirit features teams of two men and two women competing over 54 holes of four-ball stroke play in three concurrent competitions: international team, men’s team and women’s team. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in each.
Saunders isn’t being shy about which color he wants.
“I expect them to go out there and have a great time and win gold,” he said. “Obviously, that’s what we’re here to do, and I certainly know this team’s capable of it. We’ve got a great group, and they’re already getting along so well.
“The maturity of these kids is very cool.”
For Saunders, though, this week is about more than medals. It is another stop in that next chapter he talked about when he retired, and another reminder of how quickly 21 years can disappear.
“I’m certainly honored to be here, serving my role as captain for this team,” Saunders said. “I’ve got four great players, and we’re already making good friendships and memories this week.
“Such a cool event. Really, really special.”
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek and the golf coordinator for the USA Today Network.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 21 years later, Sam Saunders returns to the Spirit with a new role: Team USA captain
