123rd WPGA Open Championship - Qualifying
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for Harry C. Milholland Vase
Championship: Monday-Wednesday, July 13th - July 15th, 2026 • Willowbrook Country Club
Entries Close: Wednesday, May 06, 2026 at 05:00 PM
FORMAT: 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying rounds. 54 holes of stroke play for championship with a cut to the low 32 scores and ties following round two. The championship will be limited to 78 players. See schedule below.
ELIGIBILITY: Entries are open to professional and amateur golfers.
Entries are open to professional golfers as follows:
A. Professional golfers with permanent residency in the WPGA's jurisdiction.
B. Golf professionals and apprentice golf professionals in good standing with their respective PGA Sections.
Entries are open to amateur golfers with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 6.4 strokes as follows:
A. Amateur golfers that are affiliated with a WPGA Member Club as of April 1, 2026 and who have had a Handicap Index® issued by a WPGA Member Club for three (3) years, or
B. Amateur golfers residing within 50 miles of the WPGA's jurisdiction as of April 1, 2026 and who have a Handicap Index® issued by a WPGA Member Club with a minimum of five (5) rounds in the preceding twelve months posted at the WPGA club issuing the WPGA handicap index.
Players without a Handicap Index® issued by a club licensed by the WPGA will be directed to an existing WPGA Member Club or an Association-sponsored Type 3 Golf Club.
Contestants in doubt of their eligibility for the championship should contact the Association office.
SCHEDULE:
Qualifying Rounds
A. May 18th, 2026 – Montour Heights Country Club
B. June 16th, 2026 – Diamond Run Golf Club
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at Willowbrook Country Club
A. Monday, July 13th – 18 holes of stroke play.
B. Tuesday, July 14th – 18 holes of stroke play.
C. Wednesday, July 15th – 18 holes of stroke play for the low 32 and ties.
2026 WPGA Open Championship Exemptions:
2016-2025 WPGA Open champions:
- Connor Schmidt, Alec Stopperich, Beau Titsworth, Gregory Meyer, James Gillam, Easton Renwick, Devin Gee, Neal Shipley, & Mark Goetz
2020-2025 WPGA Amateur champions:
- David Fuhrer, Nathan Piatt, Sean Knapp, Brady Pevarnik, & Tanner Johnson
2025 WPGA Mid-Amateur champion:
- Darin Kowalski
2025 WPGA Spring Stroke Play champion:
- Chuck Tragesser
2024 and 2025 Tri-State, PGA Section champion (Based on Eligibility):
- Justin Collins & Rob McClellan
2025 Pittsburgh Open Champion:
- -
2025 Tri-State Open Championship, Top 3 & ties:
- Carter Pitcairn & Eddie Perrino
Willowbrook Country Club Head Professional:
- Brian Dunaway
2025 Willowbrook Country Club Men’s Club champion:
- Andrew Reynolds
2025 Top 20, Tri-State PGA Section points list:
- Talon Kriebel, Kevin Shields, Brett Carman, John Aber, Kyle Bennett, Dennis Munko, Joe Boros, Lucas Cromeenes, Alex Aulerich, Michael Gervais, Shawn McCall, Mike Frisina, Mike Kondratik, & Roy Vucinich
2025 WPGA Honor Roll, Top 5:
- Nicholas Turowski & Hunter Swidzinski
2025 WPGA Open Championship, Top 10 & ties:
- Scott Jordan, Louis Olsakovsky, Amani Dambrosio, & Ian Bangor
2024 and 2025 WPGA Amateur Championship, Top 3 & ties:
- Rocco Salvitti, Ryan Ferry, & Carson Kittsley
2021-2025 Pennsylvania Open champion (Based on Eligibility):
- Jake Sollon
2026 U.S.Open Local Qualifiers:
*Amateur exemptions awarded must retain amateur status.
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee.
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS:
Champion - Next ten WPGA Open Championships
Top Ten & Ties - 2027 WPGA Open Championship
Low Amateur/Any Amateur in Top 10 - 2027 WPGA Open Championship
ENTRIES (Form, Fee, Closing Date): Entry and fee of $150.00 (Amateur) or $200.00 (Professional) must be submitted to the Association by Wednesday, May 06, 2026 at 05:00 PM, to be considered. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds only. Entry fee includes greens fee, cart fees, range fee, locker fee, prizes, trophies, and lunch. Late entries (after Wednesday, May 06, 2026 at 05:00 PM) from any eligible person, including exempt players, will not be accepted.
Players who successfully qualify will be invoiced for the difference in Qualifying & Championship Registration.
Online registration – Players must enter online on the WPGA website. Players must have a valid e-mail address and a WPGA account to register online. Player accounts can be created on the WPGA Tournament Portal. Please contact the WPGA office at 412-826-2180 for assistance if needed. Online entries may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card. American Express is not accepted.
Entry fee will be refunded with a $15.00 service charge for withdrawals before the close of entries. Withdrawals after the close of entries will be subject to a $25.00 service charge. No refunds will be issued for withdraws taking place 48 hours prior to the first tee time.
In the event of registration over subscription the WPGA will select the most represented field with the key criteria being previous performance and participation in this event.
PURSE/PRIZES: No prizes (golf shop credit or professional purse) will be awarded for qualifying rounds. A trophy will be awarded to the winning player, runner-up and low amateur at Willowbrook Country Club for the Championship. Prizes will be awarded to amateurs in the top 20 and the professional purse (minimum $27,000) will be distributed to all professionals making the cut for the Championship. Prizes for amateurs will consist of credits in the host club’s golf shop. The Open Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll and Palmer Cup Team points event. Please see the Honor Roll Center for applicable points table.
REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:
A. Players must walk for the championship proper and may bring their own caddies or carry their own bags during the championship. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds.
B. It is a condition of competition that shoes with traditionally designed spikes, regardless of composition, or spikes comprised either entirely or partially of metal, regardless of design, are prohibited during the championship.
C. Play will be governed by the USGA Rules of Golf. Additionally, conditions stated on the WPGA Rules of Play and Terms of Competition Card and other Local Rules as posted, will be in effect.
D. Proper attire is mandatory in all phases of the championship. Shirts with collars and sleeves are required. Shorts of Bermuda length or longer are acceptable.
E. A tie for first place shall be decided immediately upon completion of play with a hole-by-hole playoff at the Championship. Ties for the final qualifying spot at the qualifying site will be broken with a hole-by-hole playoff immediately upon the completion of play.
F. Players falsifying a Handicap Index may be subject to indefinite suspension from WPGA Championships.
G. Starting times and other information will be available on the WPGA website approximately one week before the championship. Players unable to retrieve starting times should call the WPGA office (412-826-2180).
NOTICE:
By submission of this entry, I agree to the following:
I have read and understand the entry requirements and championship regulations.
I agree that there are certain risks inherent in golf and accept personal and sole liability for such risks including but not limited to health risks.
This entry is subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by the WPGA. The reason may include unbecoming conduct.
The WPGA may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from a Championship and/or suspend a player from future championships if the player engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity and image of the game of golf and/or public confidence in the WPGA. Such conduct may include but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the players’ equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators, officials, volunteers or staff, blatant and excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club/course rules or any other unbecoming conduct.
Responsibility for ensuring entry is received by the WPGA prior to the specified deadline is the Player's alone and that this application may be automatically rejected by the WPGA if received by after such date and time.
Risk of delay or error in transmission is solely with the Player and that the WPGA has no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including the entry not being accepted.
Any player under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian agree to the WPGA terms and conditions for minors before their application will be accepted. Parental consent can be done by checking the appropriate box during online registration. If you need additional information, please contact the Association office (412-826-2180).
