2026 Application Information
124th Western Amateur Championship
Beverly Country Club, Chicago, Illinois
July 27-August 1, 2026
ENTRIES OPEN – Wednesday, February 4, 2026
ENTRIES CLOSE – 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, June 19, 2026
ELIGIBILITY – The Championship is open to male amateur golfers. All entrants must adhere to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status and meet the requirements of the USGA Gender Policy. Eligible golfers must hold an official World Handicap System index of 3.0 or lower. For entrants who are minors, parental or guardian approval is required. All entries are subject to approval or rejection by the Western Golf Association (WGA) at any time before or after the start of play. Reasons for rejection may include conduct unbecoming of a participant (see CODE OF CONDUCT below).
FIELD – The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 players. The WGA will determine exemptions in accordance with the published exemption categories. Eligible players who are not automatically exempt may apply for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption by submitting a completed entry form, including a golf resume, along with the application fee before the deadline. Players who are not exempt or who do not receive a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption can qualify for the Championship through the Western Amateur Qualifier at Flossmoor Golf Club on July 26, 2026.
QUALIFIER – The 2026 Western Amateur Qualifier will be held at Flossmoor Golf Club in Flossmoor, Illinois, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. After the Western Amateur field is finalized on June 26, 2026, non-exempt players and those not awarded a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption will receive an email with a link to register for the qualifier.
The qualifier is limited to 84 participants competing for 7 qualifying spots, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served sign-up basis. The entry fee is $175, and the registration deadline is July 19, 2026. Withdrawals made before 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on July 19 will receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals after this time. A waitlist will be maintained once the 84-participant limit is reached.
ENTRY & WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES –
- All entries must be submitted online at thewesternamateur.com. Late, incomplete, or inaccurate entry forms will not be accepted.
- There is a non-refundable $25 application fee for all applications.
- All entries and application fees of $25 must be submitted online prior to 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, June 19, 2026. Only one entry may be filed per player.
- If an entrant who has paid the full entry fee ($415) withdraws before 5 p.m. (CDT) on June 19, 2026, the full entry fee will be refunded, less the $25 application fee.
- If an entrant who has paid the full entry fee ($415) withdraws for any reason after 5 p.m. (CDT) on June 19, 2026, but before 5 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, July 13, 2026, 50% of the entry fee ($195) will be refunded.
- No refunds will be made for withdrawals after Monday, July 13, 2026.
- If you cannot compete and do not officially withdraw prior to the tournament, you will be treated as a “no-show” and will be subject to exclusion from future WGA events. Entrants should contact Steve Prioletti,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (224) 260-3738, to formally withdraw from the event. - Upon acceptance into the tournament field, the balance of the entry fee ($390 - credit card payment submitted online) must be paid by July 13, 2026, to confirm each applicant's acceptance into the event. Each applicant who is accepted into the field will be sent a link to make a payment on the remaining balance of $390.
TOURNAMENT ACCEPTANCE – Players who qualify for an exemption into the tournament in categories A, B, C, and E will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament after receipt of the online application and application fee, provided there are spaces available. All players applying for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption will be emailed notification of their status by 5 p.m. (CDT) on June 26, 2026. Non-exempt players and those not awarded D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions will have the opportunity to register for the qualifier starting June 26, 2026. A separate sign-up link will be sent via email for registration.
FORMAT – Tuesday & Wednesday, July 28–29 — 36 holes of stroke play qualifying, 18 holes each day. The low 44 players and ties after 36 holes advance to the final 36 holes of stroke play qualifying on Thursday, July 30. The low 16 players after 72 holes advance to match play. In the event of a tie for the 16th position, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately after the last player completes 72 holes and all scores are posted. All players involved in the playoff must be at the designated teeing ground when the playoff begins. All rounds will be played at Beverly Country Club.
SUNDAY, JULY 26
A.M. / P.M. Shotguns – Western Amateur Contestant-Amateur Event (Beverly Country Club)
7:00 A.M. - 9:10 A.M. – Western Amateur Qualifier (Host Site: Flossmoor Golf Club)
MONDAY, JULY 27
6:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. – Player Registration (Beverly Country Club Clubhouse)
7:00 A.M. - 2:10 P.M. – Practice Rounds
6:30 P.M. – Player Welcome Party (Beverly Country Club Clubhouse)
TUESDAY, JULY 28
A.M. & P.M. – First Round of Stroke Play
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
A.M. & P.M. – Second Round of Stroke Play
(low 44 plus ties enter final 36 holes of qualifying)
THURSDAY, JULY 30
A.M. & P.M. – Third & Fourth Rounds of Stroke Play
(low 16 enter Match Play)
FRIDAY, JULY 31
A.M. – Round of 16 (Match Play)
P.M. – Quarterfinals (Match Play)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
A.M. – Semifinals (Match Play)
P.M. – Finals (Match Play)
SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS – The 2026 Western Amateur Champion will receive an exemption into the 2027 Evans Scholars Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour.
AWARDS – The WGA maintains two permanent trophies for the Western Amateur Championship. The champion’s name is engraved on the George R. Thorne Trophy, and the medalist’s name is engraved on the Cameron Eddy Trophy. In addition, a Western Amateur keeper trophy and medalist trophy will be presented to the champion and medalist, and medals will be awarded to the champion and runner-up.
REGISTRATION – All players must register with the WGA on Monday, July 27. Registration will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CDT) at the Beverly Country Club clubhouse. If you are unable to register during this time, you must notify the WGA tournament staff in advance by calling (224) 260-3738. Failure to register will result in the withdrawal of your entry. Late registration, with prior approval, may be accommodated on Monday afternoon. WGA tournament staff must be informed in advance to request late registration.
PRACTICE – Beverly Country Club will be available for practice rounds on Monday, July 27, for all participants. Approximately one month before the tournament, contestants will receive an email with instructions to book their practice round via the Golfgenius portal. Each player must register with the WGA before playing a practice round. Players will have the option to book one additional practice round between April 15 and July 1 and can do so by contacting John Varner at
CONTESTANT-AMATEUR – The Contestant-Amateur is a kickoff event hosted by Beverly Country Club, giving players the opportunity to be paired with a member and play the course ahead of the tournament. The event will take place on Sunday, July 26, with morning and afternoon shotgun starts, followed by a reception. The Contestant-Amateur is a limited-field, invitation-only event. Additional details and invitations will be sent approximately one month before the tournament.
PLAYER WELCOME PARTY – The Player Welcome Party will be held on Monday, July 27. All contestants are invited as guests of the WGA and are strongly encouraged to attend. Each player will receive one complimentary guest ticket to share with a parent, family member, or caddie. Additional guest tickets may be purchased at the check-in table on Monday evening.
CADDIE POLICY – Beverly Country Club caddies are available for the practice round and tournament play on a first-come, first-served basis. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any stage of the Championship. Players’ family members and friends are permitted to caddie for contestants. If you would like to request a Beverly Country Club caddie, please contact Pat Mitchell as soon as possible at
TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION/ACCOMMODATIONS – Upon receiving notice of tournament acceptance, participants should book flights into Chicago O’Hare International Airport (approximately 50 minutes from Beverly Country Club) or Chicago Midway International Airport (approximately 20 minutes from Beverly Country Club), if needed.
The host hotel for the Championship is the Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge, 1200 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge, IL 60527. The host hotel is located about 30 minutes from Beverly Country Club. The special tournament rate is $172 + tax/night. Contestants are responsible for making their own reservations and may do so using the booking links provided in the official acceptance email or by contacting the hotels directly. The deadline to secure reservations at the group rate is Friday, July 3, 2026.
PRIVATE HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION – As in past years, a limited amount of private housing will be available, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up form for private housing and transportation will be included in the official acceptance email. Anyone requesting private housing and transportation must complete the form by Friday, July 17. Housing will be provided on a space-available basis only. Please note: Airport pickups and returns for those staying in private housing are available only from Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway airports.
HEADQUARTERS – All inquiries should be directed to Steve Prioletti, Director of Amateur Competitions, Western Golf Association, 2501 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026. He can be reached at (224) 260-3738 or
CODE OF CONDUCT – The following actions by players or caddies will be considered violations of the Code of Conduct: any abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the course or clubhouse, leaving the course during your competitive round without permission from a WGA official, any use of or association with drugs or alcohol, not adhering to the dress code during any portion of the tournament, any vandalism at a host hotel, and/or any other conduct not becoming of a Western Junior competitor. The penalties for Code of Conduct violations, based on the severity of the misconduct, may be any or all of the following: a warning, disqualification of the player from the tournament, suspension of the player indefinitely from future WGA events.
PLAYER DRESS CODE – Players and caddies may wear golf-style shorts or pants during the practice round and all rounds of the championship. Collared shirts are required at all times during the tournament. Players who violate the dress code will not be permitted to start their round. Any dress code violation that occurs during a stipulated round must be corrected without undue delay, or the player will not be allowed to continue. Proper attire is required at all times while on the host property, including in the clubhouse and at all practice facilities before and after play.
FOOTWEAR – It is a condition of the competition that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.
STARTING TIMES – Groupings and starting times for the first two rounds will be posted on the Golfgenius portal by 12 noon (CDT) on Sunday, July 26. Groupings and starting times can also be viewed at www.thewesternamateur.com. Groupings and starting times will not be available from WGA Headquarters in advance.
RULES OF GOLF – The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and The R&A, as modified by local rules established by the WGA, govern play. The WGA tournament committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. Changes in tournament format caused by force majeure shall be within the sole discretion of the WGA officials. The decisions of the WGA tournament committee on any matter shall be final.
PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; BROADCASTING – By submitting this application, I understand that the WGA or its designees, may record, film, photograph, or otherwise capture my likeness, image, voice, biography, references to me, my quoted statements, and my play in the Championship (the foregoing, together with my name, my “Appearance”). In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Championship, by submitting this Application, I grant (and/or have the authority to grant to the WGA in the case of a parent/guardian of a minor or other authorized representative submitting the Application on my behalf) to the WGA, and its licensees, successors and assigns, the perpetual, transferable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable right to use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in all manner (including exhibition, distribution, reproduction, publication, display, broadcast, transmission or otherwise), and media now known or hereafter invented or discovered, and for any purpose whatsoever. The rights granted herein include, without limitation, the right to use the Appearance, or portions thereof, in promotion of the Championship and future championships through any of the foregoing means of distribution, as well as in the design, manufacture and distribution of merchandise related to the Championship or other championships, that include elements of my Appearance. The WGA is not obligated to use my Appearance in any matter, and materials embodying any aspect of my Appearance do not need be submitted to me for approval. I release and discharge the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims arising from use of my Appearance, including claims for misrepresentation of me, my character, or my person by any means. As between the WGA and me, the WGA shall own all rights, title, and interest, including the copyright(s), in and to any works created by the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns, that include all or a portion of my Appearance. This grant shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the successors and assigns of the WGA. I hereby waive all privacy, publicity, defamation, libel, and proprietary rights relating to the Appearance as used by the WGA in conjunction with these terms. Players are required to cooperate with representatives of the media; however, no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities which are part of the Championship will be required. Authorized representatives of the media will not interfere with the player’s Championship play in an unreasonable manner.
2026 Exemption Categories
EXEMPT PLAYERS – Players in categories A, B, C, or E are automatically exempt into the starting field, provided they:
- Meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the ELIGIBILITY section, and
- There are available spaces in the field.
NON-EXEMPT PLAYERS – Players who are not exempt under any of the categories listed below but are otherwise eligible should submit a completed entry form and application fee to request a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption before the application deadline. Candidates for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption should also include a golf resume (maximum one page) with their application. All players awarded a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption will be notified via email of their acceptance into the starting field by June 26, 2026.
The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 players. Those not initially accepted into the 156-player field may be placed on an alternate list for exempt players who subsequently withdraw. Non-exempt players and those not awarded D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions will have the opportunity to register for the qualifier starting June 26, 2026. A separate sign-up link will be sent via email for registration.
A. Exemptions Based on WGA Championships:
Western Amateur:
A-1. Champions (2016-2025).
A-2. “Sweet Sixteen” – match-play qualifier (2021-2025).
A-3. Made the 36-hole cut (2024-2025).
Western Junior:
A-4. Champions (2024-2026).
A-5. Top three finishers and ties (2026).
B. Exemptions Based on Ranking Systems, Teams, & Amateur Events:
B-1. Any player ranked in the top 175 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (see wagr.com) at any time between the date of entry and June 19, 2026.
B-2. Top 20 players from the Elite Amateur Golf Series Final Standings — “Elite Amateur Cup” (2025).
B-3. Playing members of the United States and Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup Teams. Four-year exemption from the date of appointment.
B-4. Rolex Junior All-American First Team members (2025).
B-5. Winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship (2023-2025).
B-6. Runner-up of the U.S. Amateur Championship (2025).
B-7. Winner and runner-up of the Amateur Championship conducted by the R&A (2025).
B-8. Winner and runner-up of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship (2025).
B-9. Winners of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2026).
B-10. Winners of the Asia Pacific Amateur (2025), European Amateur (2025), and Latin American Amateur (2026).
C. Exemptions Based on Collegiate Ranking Systems, Teams, & Collegiate Events:
C-1. Any player ranked in the top 50 of the SCOREBOARD Powered by Clippd Rankings following the final (2025/2026) season update.
C-2. GCAA Division I First-Team All-Americans (2025-2026).
C-3. Winners of the NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or NAIA championships – individual champions (2026).
C-4. Winners of the NCAA Division I Regionals – individual champions (2026).
D. Exemptions Based on Special Considerations or Invitations:
D-1. A limited number of D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions and/or written invitations may be granted by the Committee. Players who do not qualify under categories A, B, C, or E may apply for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption.
E. Exemptions Based on Professional Events:
E-1. Players who posted a 72-hole score in a PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, or Korn Ferry Tour event (2025–2026).
E-2. Players who posted a 36-hole score in The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, or The Open Championship (2025-2026).