The 4th Annual U.S. Adaptive Open came to Woodmont Country Club to showcase the amazing golfing talents of 96 golfers from all over the globe who have taken on and conquered the impairment challenges that life has presented them to play the game they love. For our members and staff it was an honor and privilege to host this prestigious event and support the inclusion of these great athletes in a major U.S.G.A. Championship.

Woodmont has a long history of association with the U.S.G.A. We have hosted the annual final stage men’s U.S. Open qualifying for close to 40 years, been the site of 17 year old Rose Zhang’s historic come from behind playoff win in the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and will be staging the Boys and Girls U.S. Junior Amateur in 2028.

The U.S.G.A. has taken the admirable attitude to elevate the impact of this championship with all the bells and whistles of a major event. In just four years it has taken on a ground breaking reputation of inclusion, expanding the reach of the game in recognition of the determination and abilities of these players by embracing the use of adaptive methodologies that allow them to compete at the highest levels.

Woodmont became a perfect candidate to consider as a host venue for this event when we began a total renovation of the South Course in 2020 under the direction of course architect Joel Weiman. His concept was to replicate the look and feel of the Australian Sandbelt courses expanding the summer zoysia grass fairways to accommodate vast driving areas with very little rough, incorporating 30 plus yard short bermuda grass surrounds to sprawling and generously contoured green complexes to facilitate short game recovery, and throw in an accent of visually intimidating razor sharp bunker edges to complete the Melbourne look.

For 96 competitors with widely differing impairments, the U.S.G.A. has fashioned a competition that identifies a men and women’s champion with three days of medal play playing the course at four different tee lengths based on their impairment challenges. Champions are also identified for each gender in eight separate categories of impairment, Coordination Impairment, Intellectual Impairment, Lower Limb Impairment, Upper Limb Impairment, Multiple Limb Amputee, Seated Players, Short Stature, and Vision Impairment.

The renovated South Course allowed the competition committee to vary the set up every day. Playing in the same competition the longest Blue Tees challenged players at over 6,600 yards and the Purple Tees at a much more modest overall distance of about 4,600 yards.

Minimal walks between greens and tees, short grass everywhere, and low edge bunkers makes accessibility to the playing areas very fluid even for those playing in adaptive motorized devices.

But at the end of the day this is a competitive U.S.G.A. national championship to be decided by talent, grit, and determination. Top competitors in both the men’s and women’s divisions displayed solid mechanics, strategic creativity, and flawless shot making acumen throughout the three days of competition.

Kipp Popert registered a three-peat winning the Adaptive Open the first three years, lapping the men’s field with an astounding overall score of 24 under par. Kim Moore had won the inaugural event in 2022 and took her second Adaptive Open Championship posting 16 over for a three shot win on the ladies side.

Thanks to the U.S.G.A. and the over 200 staff members and volunteers who helped make this event a community success. For those who witnessed this event in person or who watched the final round on the Golf Channel they walked away with a sense of respect for the camaraderie this event engenders and the determination it takes for people like this to embrace their dreams and take life’s challenges head on.

Will Kipp finish the rare Adaptive Quadrilateral in 2026?

We look forward to seeing him try when once again when the prestigious U.S. Adaptive Open returns to Woodmont Country Club in 2026 for a second time around the block.

Woodmont Country Club

Rockville, Maryland