U.S. Adaptive Open: Frequently Asked Questions

For the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, all players must have a Handicap Index® of 36.4 or less and have a WR4GD Pass (World Ranking for Golfers with Disability). In addition, by the close of entries, players must have posted the equivalent of at least eight new 18-hole scores since May 4, 2022 (this part does not apply to exempt players).

Players with Intellectual Impairment will also need Virtus II1 International Level eligibility.

Please note that 9-hole scores are combined in the order that they are received to form 18-hole Score Differentials™, so two 9-hole scores posted are equivalent to one 18-hole score for handicap purposes.

The Rules of Handicapping require that all acceptable scores, including recreational and competition scores, made during an active season must be posted to your scoring record. Click here to view the active season schedule within the United States. If a player lives somewhere that is in an inactive season, but plays while traveling to a location with an active season, e.g., for a tournament or on vacation, those scores must be posted.

For international players: Contact your National Association to inquire about your active season schedule.

Yes, professionals and amateurs can enter the championship.

Yes, the USGA has announced the following exemptions for the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open, based on the Inaugural Championship:

Female and Male overall winners of the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open Championship (this is a five-year exemption).

Kim Moore (Female)
Simon Lee (Male)

From the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, the five lowest overall female and male scorers, plus ties.

FEMALE
Kim Moore
Ryanne Jackson
Mandi Sedlak
Grace Anne Braxton
Natasha Stasiuk

MALE
Simon Lee
Felix Norrman
Chad Pfeifer
Kipp Popert
Jordan Thomas

From the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, the lowest female scorer and lowest male scorer from each Impairment Category, plus ties.

Kurtis Barkley
Grace Anne Braxton
Amanda Cunha
Annie Hayes
Ryanne Jackson
Kiefer Jones
Cindy Lawrence
Simon Lee
Kim Moore
Felix Norrman
Chad Pfeifer
Kipp Popert
Conor Stone
Jordan Thomas
Cathy Walch
Dennis Walters

It’s easy to get a Handicap Index®! It only takes three 18-hole scores to get started, which can be made up of any combination of 9- or 18-hole rounds (and it can include rounds you have already played).

The simplest way to get a Handicap Index is to visit usga.org/getahandicap and join the USGA/AGA Community in your area.

You can also contact your local Allied Golf Association (state or regional golf association) for assistance with finding a club in your area that best suits your needs.

For players outside of the United States:

Contact your National Association for assistance with getting a Handicap Index.

Yes, all players will need a Handicap Index to enter the championship.

The eligible impairments are:

Impaired Muscle Power
Impaired Passive Range of Movement

Limb Deficiency
Leg Length Difference
Short Stature
Hypertonia
Ataxia

Athetosis
Vision Impairment
Intellectual Impairment

A WR4GD Pass certifies eligibility to compete in the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship. Information on how to apply can be found here.

Players with Intellectual Impairment will need to start the process in the USA by going to Athletes Without Limits and applying for Virtus II1 International Level eligibility. Players outside of the USA can look up their national Virtus contact here.

As it can take some time to apply for and receive a WR4GD Pass and Virtus II1 International Eligibility, players are advised to begin this process immediately if they have not done so already.

In the USA, players with Intellectual Impairment who do not submit completed applications to Athletes Without Limits by March 1, 2023 (https://www.athleteswithoutlimits.org/golf), may not receive Virtus II1 International Eligibility in time to have their entries accepted for this year’s championship. For players from other countries, please go to https://www.virtus.sport/member to receive confirmation regarding timelines.

The following medical assessors are available:

Dr. Prakash Jayabalan, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, Ill., by appointment: (312) 238-7326.
Ross Brakeville, DPT, Atlanta, Ga., by appointment: Ross@georgiasportsmedicinespecialists.com or (678) 469-3007.
Dr. Adam Kassam, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by appointment: adamkassam@gmail.com

The following events will have medical assessors available on site:

Florida Adaptive Open, Innisbrook Resort (South Course), Palm Harbor, Florida, Oct. 1-2; for more information, contact CJ Hollister, cj@fsga.org
Georgia Adaptive Open, Bobby Jones Golf Course, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 3-5; for more information, contact Kevin Duffy, kduffy@gsga.org

To view your WR4GD Pass number, please visit https://edgagolf.com/online/players/. You can also visit your EDGA profile by going to the upper right corner of the EDGA home page, and clicking on Login. Enter your e-mail address and select Forgot Password if you do not know your password. Questions? Email applications@edgagolf.com.

If you have Virtus II1 International Eligibility, but don’t know your number, please go to: https://www.virtus.sport/eligibility-master-list.

Entries opened on Feb. 27, and you can register online at champ-admin.usga.org.

No. Entries will be primarily determined based on Handicap Index. Date of entry will not be a factor in determining the final field.

There will not be qualifying. Field composition details will be provided when entries open on Feb. 27.

It is anticipated that there will be more entrants than there are spots available. The players who make the field will be announced on approximately May 22nd.

There will not be a senior division, but seniors can enter.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the 2nd U.S. Adaptive Open. Due to an overwhelming amount of interest, volunteer registration is now closed for the 2023 championship.