The governing body announced Friday the addition of the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, which will showcase the world’s best golfers with disabilities.
The inaugural edition of the event will take place next summer at Pinehurst No. 6, July 18-20.
“Since 1895, our championships have provided the world’s best players with an opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s senior managing director of championships. “We are proud to bring that same opportunity to the adaptive golf community through this championship.”
The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship will be contested over 54 holes of stroke play and is open to men and women with either a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment.
“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,” Bodenhamer said.
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.