USGA announces cut, new exemption categories for 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open

The U.S. Adaptive Open will feature more changes than just a new course in 2024.

Now in its third year, the United States Golf Association’s 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open will feature some key changes compared to the first two editions.

This year’s championship, scheduled for July 8-10 at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, includes three new exemption categories as well as a cut for the first time.

The Adaptive Open is for male and female professional and amateur golfers who hold a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less, as well as an eligible impairment confirmed by a World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) Pass. Multiple sets of tees are used for the championship, which is contested over 54 holes of stroke play.

After the first two rounds, a cut will be administered with the low score (top 20 for men, top 10 for women), plus low two and ties from each impairment category advancing to the final round.

The first two Adaptive Open fields, held at Pinehurst No. 6 in North Carolina, were largely determined by Handicap Index. This year, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the country from April 15-May 31. The low overall female and male scorers from each qualifying site will earn spots in the championship, with ties resolved via a playoff. The remaining qualifying spots will be determined by Impairment Category and gender across all six qualifying sites using an adjusted Score Differential.

Effective this year, the USGA will employ the following three new exemption categories:

  • Overall male champion and overall female champion from the 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO (Chris Willis and Natasha Stasiuk)
  • Overall male champion and overall female champion from The 2024 G4D Open (to be contested May 15-17)
  • From the current WR4GD Gross Ranking – the top 10 men’s point leaders and ties, and the top five females and ties, as of April 3 (one week before entries close)

Online entry applications are now open and will close Wednesday, April 10, at 5 p.m. ET.

2024 U.S. Adaptive Open qualifying sites

Tuesday, April 16

Cedar Crest Golf Course, Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, Apr. 17

Bobby Jones Golf Course (Magnolia Route), Atlanta, Georgia

Wednesday, Apr. 24

Haworth Country Club, Haworth, New Jersey

Monday, Apr. 29

Goose Creek Golf Club, Jurupa Valley, California

Tuesday, May 7

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, Sarasota, Florida

Broadmoor Country Club, Indianapolis, Indiana

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USGA to conduct national qualifying for first time ahead of 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open

The USGA announced Thursday the U.S. Adaptive Open will adopt a qualifying model for the 2024 championship.

The USGA announced Thursday the U.S. Adaptive Open will adopt a qualifying model for the 2024 championship.

Conducted over 18 holes, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the United States between April 15 and May 31. They will be administered by Allied Golf Associations. In its first two years, the championship field was determined largely by Handicap Index. 

The 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open will be held at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, from July 8-10.“We have been thrilled with the interest in this championship and the growth of new adaptive competitions that it has inspired. As such, we have reached the point of introducing qualifying earlier than expected,” John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, said in a release. “In order to satisfy demand, we’re excited to roll out this new qualifying model, which will ensure high-caliber players are provided ample opportunity to earn a spot in the field and provide the championship the opportunity to embrace the openness that is a hallmark of USGA competitions.”The following AGAs will conduct 18-hole stroke play qualifiers in 2024 (specific sites and dates will be available by early February): Florida State Golf Association; Georgia State Golf Association; Indiana Golf Association; Metropolitan Golf Association (CT/NJ/NY); Southern California Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association

Online entry applications will open Thursday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m. ET, and close on Wednesday, April 10 at 5 p.m. ET, and be available at champs.usga.org.

The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship serves as the association’s 15th, and newest, national championship for the adaptive golf community. In 2023, Ryanne Jackson (women’s) and Kipp Popert (men’s) captured the championship’s overall titles. In 2022, Kim Moore (women’s) and Simon Lee (men’s) emerged victorious during the inaugural playing.

Eighteen players are fully exempt into the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open based on performances over the past two years of the championship.

The Adaptive Open is 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. The championship is contested over 54 holes of stroke play. Multiple sets of tees will be utilized.

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