The world’s best adaptive golfers compete just outside DC this July, and cheering them on is free!
Championship Golf Lands a Short Drive from DC
Woodmont Country Club sits in Rockville, Maryland, a short drive from downtown DC. From July 6 to 8, 2026, its South Course hosts the fifth U.S. Adaptive Open, the USGA’s national championship for golfers with disabilities.
Ninety-six players from 34 states and nine countries will compete across eight impairment categories over 54 holes of stroke play. Best of all, admission is complimentary, and no ticket is required! Practice rounds open the gates July 4 and July 5 (Saturday and Sunday), so fans can watch all week at no cost.
Woodmont knows this stage well. The club hosted the Adaptive Open in 2025. For golf fans near the capital, few outings deliver this much championship pedigree this close to home.
A Fireside Chat with Two of Adaptive Golf’s Biggest Stars
Media day opened with a fireside chat featuring two champions, and their drive was contagious.
Kipp Popert, a three-time U.S. Adaptive Open winner from England, has turned his platform into a mission. He launched his own invitational and funds travel stipends so more players can compete. “I want the best players here no matter their financial situation,” Popert said. “They deserve the right to showcase their golf, and that’s something I’m very passionate about.”
Kim Moore, a multiple-time women’s champion from Fort Wayne, Indiana, coaches and competes with equal fire. She grew up as the only adaptive golfer in the room. “Being welcomed into this community has been such a treasure,” Moore said. “To see all the opportunities these golfers have now is incredible.” Both carry the game forward for the next generation.
Adaptive Golf Is Growing Fast, and Courses Are Adapting with It
The sport’s rise has been remarkable. In late 2020, fewer than 100 American golfers held a WR4GD Pass, the world ranking credential for golfers with disabilities. Today that number tops 935. Meanwhile, Allied Golf Associations hosting adaptive events have jumped from two to roughly fifteen.
Course design is changing too. Woodmont’s South Course, reshaped in a recent renovation, now features continuous fairways, generous short grass, minimal forced carries, and bunkers reworked for seated players. Furthermore, five sets of tees stretch from 3,500 to 6,500 yards, and yellow flagsticks replace the traditional red and navy for sharper visibility.
These thoughtful touches make the game playable for more bodies and more skill levels. More clubs nationwide are following Woodmont’s lead, opening their courses to adaptive competition every year!
Plan Your Visit and Cheer Them On
Mark the calendar and make the trip. The 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open runs July 6-8 at Woodmont, with free practice rounds July 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday). For tee times, the full field, and player news, follow Woodmont Country Club and the USGA’s championship coverage, powered this year by expanded Deloitte support and three live hours on Golf Channel.
Parking is on-site, and ride-share drop-off is available at the club. This is the kind of event that stays with you long after the final putt.
The Washington Lobbyist champions the people, places, and moments that define our region, from hidden tables to world-class sporting stages. So come see history made minutes from DC, bring a friend, and let us know what you cheer for along the way!
