The U.S. Adaptive Open was established just two short years ago but is already set to enter a new chapter. The overwhelming interest and support from the adaptive golf community convinced the USGA that it needed to implement changes much quicker than expected to allow more players the opportunity to compete for a national championship.
To satisfy demand, the USGA announced modifications ahead of the 2024 U.S Adaptive Open, which will be played July 8-10 at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan., including the adoption of a qualifying model. For the first two championships, a player’s Handicap Index® was the primary factor in determining the field. The other modifications announced are the addition of three new exemption categories and the administration of a cut for the first time.
The USGA selected the TGA as one of six Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) across America to stage U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifying, along with the Florida State Golf Association, Georgia State Golf Association, Indiana Golf Association, Metropolitan Golf Association, and the Southern California Golf Association.
“We are very excited to have this opportunity to host U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifying and to build on the legacy of this championship,” said Kelly Kilgo, Managing Director of TGA Foundation/Outreach. “Our staff members and volunteers are looking forward to providing a wonderful experience for the players as they compete for a spot in the field at Sand Creek Station.”
The TGA conducted the first of the six U.S. Adaptive Open qualifiers on April 16 at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas. To view the final results from Cedar Crest, click here. The other five qualifiers will be held from April 17 through May 7 at various sites across the country.
The low overall female scorer and low overall male scorer from each qualifying site will earn spots in the championship. Any ties will be resolved by a playoff. The remaining qualifying spots will be determined by Impairment Category and gender across all six qualifying sites using an adjusted Score Differential. These players will be announced after all qualifying sites have completed play. More information can be found here.
Successful qualifiers will join those players who were fully exempt based on performances over the past two years of the championship in the 96-player starting field.
The championship will be contested over 54 holes of stroke play, and multiple sets of tees will be utilized. After two rounds, the field will be cut by low score (top 20 and ties for men, top 10 and ties for women), plus low two and ties from each impairment category.
Developed to follow through on a 2017 pledge by the USGA to establish a championship for the adaptive golf community, the U.S. Adaptive Open serves as the association’s 15th, and newest, national championship. Entries are open to male and female professional and amateur golfers, with a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less, and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass.
For more information about the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open, click here.
