Palm Desert High alumni Charlie Reiter to play in Desert Classic

Charlie Reiter will once again be playing in the Coachella Valley’s premier PGA event next year.

Reiter, a former standout for Palm Desert High School, made his PGA Tour debut last year at 17 at the Careerbuilder Challenge, now re-branded as the Desert Classic.

The former Aztec started of last year’s event on solid footing, shooting a 68 in the first round, just five shots off the leader and eventual winner of the tournament, Jon Rahm. Reiter would later miss the cut and end the tournament at -1.

“It’s my dream to play on the PGA TOUR and I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to test my game against the best players in the world in my own backyard,” said Reiter.

In November, Reiter was one of only four Americans to make the cut at the Australian Open, and will face similarly stiff competition at PGA West come January; Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Mike Weir, Jason Dufner, Graeme MdDowell, and Bill Haas fill out the elite field.

“Charlie is a special talent and great young player with a bright future. Making the cut at the Australian Open last year and almost making the cut at the 2018 Desert Classic showed golf fans what he can do,” said former PGA TOUR player Jeff Sanders, the Desert Classic Executive Director. “I encourage the local community to come out in a big way and support Charlie again this year. He can really play.”

Reiter wrapped a stellar high school career in strong fashion last spring, leading the Aztecs to runner-up in the State Championship.