Cedar Crest Golf Course First of Six Courses Hosting U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifier

Addison – Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, Texas is set to host their first U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifier. The qualifier will be one of only six sites across the United States between April 16 to May 7.  

In 2017, the USGA followed through with a pledge to establish a “championship for the adaptive golf community”. The U.S. Adaptive Open is the 15th and newest USGA Championship for men and women amateur golfers. The tournament is split into eight groups based on the player’s disability and features the widest age range of players with eligible players ranging from 16-80 years old. Modifications in the Rules of Golf were added by the USGA in 2023, permitting players to “compete using on-course aides, loosened club-anchoring rules, and adjusted drops” to accommodate carts. The players compete for two trophies that are given to the lowest-scoring players in the women’s and men’s divisions while copper medals are awarded to the lowest scorers in each of the divisions in the tournament.  

Blazing a path for the future of adaptive golf, you can say that more than a trophy is what is on the line for these players. This is a golf event unlike any other with an opportunity to grow the adaptive golf community year-by-year going into the future. Every golfer wants to uphold this great game and keep improving it and these players are no different. Some of the players shared with the USGA after last year’s event that they wouldn’t even think they could play a full 18 holes and now they are playing as part of a USGA championship.  

With the first two tournaments taking place at Pinehurst Country Club & Resort, this is the first year the tournament will head to a new site. That is not the only new part of the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open with this year’s event featuring a cut for the first time. Starting April 16, Adaptive players across the country will play in qualifiers to try and punch their ticket to Sand Creek Station.  

The Texas Golf Association is one of six AGAs (Allied Golf Associations) hosting a qualifier with Cedar Crest Golf Course hosting the first U.S Adaptive Open qualifier in the Lonestar State.  

“We are very excited to be a part of this growing initiative for adaptive golf. Cedar Crest is a great and historic course, and we couldn’t think of a better place for a USGA qualifier site,” said Managing Director of TGA Foundation/Outreach Kelly Kilgo “To be a part of six other AGAs hosting a qualifier is something special. We can’t wait to meet these players and not only see them play some great golf but also hear some of their incredible stories.” 

Cedar Crest Golf Course has a rich history of golf and is a favorite amongst metroplex golfers. Designed by A.W Tillinghast, the course held the 1927 PGA Championship, 1926 Dallas Open, 1954 USGA Negro National Open and USGA’s Public Links Championship. The country club was turned public in 1946 after the City of Dallas purchased it. In 2001 the club built a new clubhouse and renovated the course. 

“It means a great deal to Cedar Crest and our team to be able to host an event like this,” shared Cedar Crest’s PGA Professional Ira Molayo. “This provides an opportunity to promote golf in an inclusive way.”  

The Texas Golf Association will be working with the Texas Adaptive Golf Association and hosting its 3rd Texas Adaptive Golf Championship later this fall at Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas on October 7-9.  The TGA has supported the Texas Adaptive Golf Association to help with staff, volunteers, and rules officials for the tournament and this year the TGA will be more involved with the event. Based in Fort Worth, TAGA was founded by Bobby Bell, Randy Shack, and Josh Tankersley to bring the game of adaptive golf to Texas.  

For more information on the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open, click here. For more information on the Texas Golf Association Adaptive Open, click here.