DeSantis joining high-stakes, celebrity-studded golf tournament in California
Gov. Ron DeSantis is hitting the links in California for an exclusive golf tournament this week.
DeSantis is one of dozens of celebrities and notables competing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Thursday and Friday, joining the likes of football star Travis Kelce and former NBA All-Star Pau Gasol on the cliffside Northern California course.
DeSantis spokesperson Alex Lanfranconi said in a statement that no taxpayer funds were being used.
“The Governor is looking forward to this great opportunity to represent the Sunshine State, and hopefully will not hit any spectators with errant drives in the process,” Lanfranconi said.
He would not answer questions about how DeSantis was getting to California, including whether he was traveling on a donor’s private plane and who paid his entry fee. Golfweek reported that last year’s entry fee was $70,000.
Pro-am tournaments pair up professional and amateur golfers. DeSantis is paired with pro Billy Horschel, a Florida native who attended the University of Florida.
As Politico noted, Horschel last year was paired with Patrick Zalupski, the new owner of the Tampa Bay Rays who has been a major donor to DeSantis’ political campaigns.
DeSantis and Horschel tee off at 12:50 p.m. Eastern time Thursday along with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, who is paired with pro Max Greyserman. They tee off at 11:45 a.m. Friday. CBS and Golf TV are providing TV coverage.
The governor is one of two politicians vying for a $20 million purse, including $3.6 million for the winners. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also in the field.
DeSantis is an avid golfer. This week’s tournament lists DeSantis as having a 10-handicap. In 2019, he competed in the Valspar Championship Veterans Alternative Celebrity Pro-Am in Palm Harbor.
Golf has also landed him in multiple controversies over his political career. A major donor gave him a $28,000 golf simulator to use in the Governor’s Mansion. In 2019, his political committee was selling $25,000 packages to golf with him. In 2024, his office abandoned a plan to build hotels and golf courses on preserved state park land after public outrage.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 1:43 PM.