USGA introduces championship for golfers with disabilities, Pinehurst will host starting in 2022

The U.S. Golf Association has added a national championship to its 2022 slate.

The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship will be a showcase for top golfers with disabilities.

The No. 6 course at historic Pinehurst Resort & Country Club will host the event July 18-20, 2022. The USGA also announced that the 2023 event will be at Pinehurst No. 6, July 17-19.

This event brings the total number of USGA events to 15. The USGA made a pledge in 2017 to establish this event.

“Since 1895, our championships have provided the world’s best players with an opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage, compete for a national championship and achieve their dreams,” said USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships John Bodenhamer, said in a statement.

“After years of planning and delays caused by the global pandemic, we are proud to bring that same opportunity to the adaptive golf community through this championship, and to do so at Pinehurst, our second home. We believe this effort will spur participation for golfers with disabilities and hope it inspires others in the industry to make the game and its competitions more welcoming to all.”

The U.S. Adaptive Open have a field of 96 golfers. The format is a 54-hole, stroke-play competition. It’s open to men and women, both professionals and amateurs. The USGA says the event is for golfers with “either physical impairment, sensory impairment (vision), or intellectual impairment, who have a WR4GD Pass as well as an authorized World Handicap System (WHS) Handicap Index.”

Further eligibility requirements, field composition and other competitive format details will be announced at a later date. The application process is expected to open in February.