*Please be sure to click on the qualifier location, linked in the chart table below, to register for the qualifier of your choice. Do not register for the Championship unless you are an exempt player.

2026 National Links Trust Championship

Presented by Dick's Sporting Goods

A Championship for Public Golfers

*TOURNAMENT DATES:  October 15th-18th, 2026

HOST CLUB:  Northwest Golf Course

ADDRESS:  15711 Layhill Road, Silver Springs, MD 20906

PHONE:  (301) 598-6100

ENTRIES OPEN:  Wednesday, May 6th at 9:00 AM (Central)

QUALIFIER ENTRIES CLOSE:  At least one week prior to the qualifier, check each site for specific dates.

WITHDRAWALS:  Same as entry close for qualifiers as numbers have to be confirmed with courses.

ENTRY FEE:   $80

ENTRY ELIGIBILITY, PROCEDURE & INFORMATION

Entries are open to male and female amateur golfers who have reached their 25th birthday on or before the first round of competition (Friday, October 16th) and have a USGA Handicap Index of 8.0 or less for men and 14.0 or less for women.

Players must have a USGA Handicap Index hosted by a public facility or via their allied golf association. Players may not be a member of a private or semi-private club or have access to such types of facilities through any affiliation that would allow for such access.

Participants of the NLT Championship that live outside of a 50 mile radius of the golf course will be provided a travel stipend of $300. Every participant will receive tee gifts, and be provided a player's welcome reception, and lunch each tournament round by the NLT Championship.

FORMAT & FIELD SIZE

The Championship will be contested over 54 holes of Individual Stroke Play, with 18 holes per day and three rounds. The field is limited to 72 players.

QUALIFYING SITES & FORMAT

Qualifying will be 18-hole individual stroke play one-day events. Allocation of places will be established after the close of entries. Allocation of spots for the Championship will be based on the total number of players versus the total number of qualifying sites. In order for a qualifier for a division to be held, a minimum of five players must be registered.

*Participants may only apply and participate in one qualifier per year for entry into the NLT Championship. If you need to switch your qualifier location, please contact Amanda Kolb at (akolb@anerasports.com) or (469-458-0806).

PLAYOFF: In the event of a tie for the last qualifying spot(s) or alternates, the spot will be decided by sudden death, hole-by-hole, playoff immediately after all scores have been verified. It is the players responsibility to be present if a playoff is required.

EXEMPTIONS

The Tournament Committee has the right to invite players for either division at their discretion to participate in the Championship. The Committee also has the right to extend exemptions to other tournament winners across the country. The Top 5 finishers in both the Men's and Women's Division from the previous year's NLT Championship will be exempt into the current year's NLT Championship (the entry fee will still apply).

QUALIFIER PRACTICE ROUNDS

After the entry deadline has passed, entered players may contact the qualifier host club for available times and conditions.

PLAYER YARDAGE

Yardage for the divisions may differ for each qualifier location, but for the NLT Championship the Men's Division will play over 6,500 yards and the Women's Division will play under 6,000 yards.

NATIONAL LINKS TRUST CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION:

ON-SITE CHAMPIONSHIP REGISTRATION

All players must register with a tournament staff member prior to the start of the championship. Players that do not register may be subject to disqualification. Official tournament registration will be on Thursday, October 15th from 12:00 - 5:00 PM at Northwest Golf Course. Players who are unable to register on the date and time listed must contact Amanda Kolb at (akolb@anerasports.com) in advance of the Championship.

OFFICIAL PRACTICE ROUND

The official practice round will be on Thursday, October 15th. Players are limited to one complementary practice round on the designated practice round date. Players will contact Northwest Golf Course directly starting on Thursday, October 1st to schedule their practice round tee time.

PLAYER RECEPTION

There will be a Player Welcome Reception on Thursday, October 15th for all participants and guests starting at 6:00 PM. 

STARTING TIMES & PAIRINGS

Starting times and pairings for the first round will be made available no later than end of day Friday, October 2nd. Final round starting times and pairings will be available in the evening after play and will be re-drawn based on score. 

TRANSPORTATION & CADDIES

The championship will be a riding event and carts will be provided for players, two players per cart. Caddies are not guaranteed a seat in the cart and there are no spectator carts. Players are allowed to walk during the tournament and any qualifiers.

HOST HOTEL(S)

The host hotel for the Championship is the Courtyard by Marriott Rockville (2500 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850). Please use the following link to make your online reservations. Online Reservation Link. The cut off date for the hotel group block is Wednesday, September 16th. 

POLICIES, PROCEDURES & CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION

The Amateur Golf Alliance Code of Conduct and Dress Code are in effect throughout the Championship. Violations will be dealt with based on the severity of the misconduct. All competitors should be familiar with all AGA Conditions of Competitions and Policies. The Championship will be conducted by the 2023 USGA Rules of Golf.

WITHDRAWAL & NO SHOW POLICY          

If you find you cannot compete in the NLT Championship, you must officially withdraw from the event by contacting Amanda Kolb at (akolb@anerasports.com) or (469-458-0806). If you do not officially withdraw, you may be subject to DISQUALIFICATION from future tournaments. If the Championship is cancelled all players will receive a full refund.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Thursday, October 15th

12:00 - 5:00 PM              Player Registration

All Day                            Practice Rounds

6:00 PM                          Player Welcome Reception

Friday, October 16th

8:00 AM - 11:50 AM        Round 1 Starting Times - #1 Tee

12:30 - 3:00 PM              Player Lunch

Saturday, October 17th

8:00 - 11:50 AM              Round 2 Starting Times - #1 Tee

12:30 - 3:00 PM              Player Lunch

Sunday, October 18th

8:00 - 10:00 AM              Round 3 Starting Times - #1 & #10 Tee

12:00 - 2:30 PM              Player Lunch

Following Play                Awards Ceremony

*All events will take place at Northwest Golf Course unless otherwise noted.

AGA CHAMPIONSHIP CONTACTS

Amateur Golf Alliance                               Rob Addington                         raddington@anerasports.com

Tournament Chairperson                          Sinclair Eaddy

Tournament Director                                 Amanda Kolb                           akolb@anerasports.com