126TH U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Local Qualifying
Monday, May 4, 2026 – North Oaks Golf Club, North Oaks, Minn.
Monday, May 11, 2026 – Mendakota Country Club, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Qualifying Memorandum to Players
HOST CLUB INFORMATION
North Oaks Golf Club
54 E. Oaks Road General Manager: Patrick Markley
North Oaks, MN 55127 PGA Professional: Brent Heit
Club Phone: 651/484-6311 GCSAA Superintendent: John Cameron
Website: northoaksgolfclub.com
Mendakota Country Club
2075 Mendakota Drive General Manager: Nicki Fox
Mendota Heights, MN 55120 PGA Professional: Nathan Musta
Club Phone: 651/454-2822 GCSAA Superintendent: Tom Schmidt
Website: mendakotacc.com
FORMAT/QUALIFYING PLACES: Format is 18-holes, stroke play. The field of contestants will compete for qualifying places and two alternate positions in the FINAL QUALIFYING for the 126th U.S. Open Golf Championship to be played June 18-21, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southhampton, New York. The number of qualifying spots is as follows:
North Oaks: Spots: 5 Alternates: 2
Mendakota: Spots: 5 Alternates: 2
PLAYOFF: In the event of a tie for the qualifying position and/or the 1st and 2nd alternate position, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff to determine the final results. All announcements regarding the play-off, including the holes to be used, will be made at the scoring area upon completion of the qualifying round.
ELECTRONIC SCORING: The official method of scoring will be electronic by use of the Golf Genius Mobile App. Paper scorecards WILL NOT provided to players for the purpose of scoring. Players should review the printed and video educational information posted on the Qualifying webpage to be prepared for this process. Also, players should make sure their mobile devices are fully charged prior to beginning play and to have charging cables for use between rounds.
STARTING TIMES: Will be posted on the Qualifying webpage when finalized.
COURSE SETUP: Play will be from the USGA tee markers. Please refer to the “Course Setup” found under the Rules/Resources tab on the respective Qualifying webpages.
PAPERWORK: Any and all paperwork (Local Rules Sheet, Hole Location Sheet, USGA Terms of Competition, etc.) will be available on the Qualifying webpage and the starting tees. Copies of the Local Rules Sheet and Hole Locations Sheet will be available at each starting tee. The Hole Locations sheet will be published on the Qualifying webpage after 6p the night prior to the qualifying.
PACE OF PLAY/UNREASONABLE DELAY (RULE 5.6): Players are expected to play without delay, and groups are expected to remain in position with the group immediately in front of it. Timing sheets for each round showing the time by when each hole must be completed are posted on the Qualifying webpage. Groups who fall out of position WILL BE WARNED and are subject to monitoring and timing by a Rules official. Players are expected to play a stroke within 40 seconds of when it is their time to play. Players who receive a bad time will be PENALIZED. The expected pace of play is 4:35 (North Oaks) and 4:36 (Mendakota) for 18 holes.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a:
First breach (Out of Position): Warning; Second breach: One penalty stroke;
Third breach: Two penalty strokes; Fourth breach: DISQUALIFICATION.
GROOVES: The players’ clubs must conform to the grooves and punch mark specifications in The Rules of Golf that are effective from January 1, 2010 (see Decision 4-1/1). Please refer to the USGA website for more detailed information.
PENALTY FOR MAKING A STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF CONDITION: Disqualification.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: Per the USGA Terms of Competition card and the Rules of Golf, distance measuring devices ARE PERMITTED in all stages of QUALIFYING. Please be sure any functionality that measures more than distance is disabled.
FOOTWEAR: Shoes with traditionally designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round. Penalty for breach of this condition: DISQUALIFICATION.
PRACTICE ROUND AVAILABILITY: Practice rounds will be available at each course as follows. Call course and identify yourself as a US Open contestant when making a starting time.
North Oaks Adults: $75; Juniors: $50 (Walking on Wed & Sat plus Sunday [May 3])
Mendakota $62.50+tax (Walking; day and times as available)
QUALIFYING ROUND FEES: There is no additional fee associated with the qualifying other than for practice rounds.
CADDIES: Caddies will not be available at either site. You may bring your own caddie if you wish, or you may carry your own bag or use a walking cart (including motorized).
GOLF SHOP/LOCKER ROOM/PRACTICE AREAS: These areas will be open for player’s use during the qualifying. Practice areas will open at least 60 minutes prior to the first starting time.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Contestants and caddies must be neat in appearance. The Committee will decide whether this requirement has been met. A caddie who does not meet the requirement will be asked to change or will not be permitted to caddie. The dress code applies to the caddies as well as the players. A player will be held responsible for the appearance of his caddie.
SPECTATOR CARTS: Spectator carts will be available on a very limited basis. People interested in the use of a spectator cart must provide written proof of need and will be charged the applicable cart rate. Use of the cart is limited to the person(s) covered by the written proof. Requests must go through Doug Hoffmann, the Official-in-Charge of the Qualifying. (see below)
FOOD SERVICE: During the qualifying, food will be available at these locations:
North Oaks Main Clubhouse (limited) & Halfway House between 9 green & 10 tee
Mendakota Main Clubhouse (limited) & Halfway House behind #9 & 11 greens
HOUSING/LODGING: No arrangements have been made for housing.
OFFICIAL IN CHARGE:
Douglas A. Hoffmann, MGA Director of Rules and Competitions
Cell: 612/964-4249
Office: 952/345-3963
Email: Doug@mngolf.org