Exemption Criteria

125th Amateur Championship Presented by Provident Bank

Baltusrol Golf Club

July 6-8

 

The following players are exempt from sectional qualifying for the

125th NJ Amateur Championship provided they submit their entry prior to the closing date and meet all other eligibility requirements:

 

  1. Champions of the NJ Amateur Championship from 1900 – 2007.*
  2. Champions of the previous ten NJ Amateur Championships (2016‐2025).*
  3. Champions of the previous five NJ Mid-Amateur Championships (2022-2026).
  4. Amateur Champions of the NJ Open Championship in the past ten years (2016‐2025).
  5. Low fifteen finishers (plus ties) from the 2025 Amateur Championship.
  6. Low five Amateurs at the 2025 NJ Open Championship.
  7. The 2025 NJ Senior Amateur Champion.
  8. The 2025 NJ Pre-Senior Amateur Champion.
  9. The 2025 NJ Junior Champion.
  10. The 2025 South Jersey Cup Champion.
  11. The low three finishers (plus ties) of the 2025 NJ Men’s Public Links Championship.
  12. The top ten players from the final 2025 NJ Player of the Year Standings.
  13. The 2025 MGA Amateur (Match Play) Champions. (If Eligible)
  14. The 2025 GAP Patterson Cup (Stroke Play) Champion. (If Eligible)
  15. The Low Amateur of the 2026 NJ Senior Open Championship.
  16. The 2026 NJ Junior Champion.
  17. The 2026 MGA Ike (Stroke Play) Champion. (If Eligible)
  18. The 2026 GAP Amateur (Match Play) Champion. (If Eligible)
  19. The 2026 NJ State High School Champion.
  20. Players who qualified for the 2025 US Amateur, US Senior Open, US Mid-Amateur (Match Play), US Senior Amateur (Match Play), and US Junior Amateur (Match Play) Championships.
  21. Players who qualify for the 2026 US Open (Final).
  22. Players who reach the semifinals of the 2026 NJ Mid-Amateur Championship.
  23. The reigning club champion, who’s a member in good standing of Baltusrol, or the club’s designee.
  24. Special invitee of the NJ Tournament Committee.

 

 

* ‐ Beginning with the 2008 Amateur Championship, the Champion was granted a ten year exemption from qualifying. This replaces the former lifetime exemption granted to Champions between 1900–2007. All Champions during this time period retain their lifetime exemption status, as per conditions present during those years. Please contact the NJSGA for further details.

Eligibility:
Entries open to amateur golfers who meet ALL of the following:

  • Entrant must possess UNQUESTIONABLE Amateur Status.
  • Entrant meet ALL of these Handicap and Membership Requirements:
    • Hold a USGA Handicap Index of 6.0 or less, from a men's rating, as of the close of entries, at a member club/course. They must be listed on this club’s Handicap Roster.
    • Maintain good standing and remain on the above Handicap Roster through the Championship proper.
  • If entering from a public facility, or Club Without Real Estate, entrant must be a permanent resident of New Jersey. Proof of residency may be required.

 

Championship Format: 72-Holes, Stroke Play. Eighteen holes will be played on day 1 and day 2, after which the field will be cut to the low 40 scorers (plus ties). Remaining players will compete on day 3 over 36-Holes. The Champion will be the player with the lowest 72-Hole aggregate score. The Championship field will consist of 96 players, including those who are exempt from qualifying plus those who advance from four separate 18-Hole Qualifying Rounds (plus ties). An alternate list will be created (see seperate policy) and players will be contacted if a spot in the field becomes available. 

 

*The Champion will be exempt into the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club. The top 3 finishers will be exempt into Final Stage U.S. Amateur qualifying in 2027.
 
Transportation: Motorized transportation is PROHIBITED throughout this Championship.
Caddies: Permitted; a player may bring their own caddie – or where available, reserve a club caddie.
Pull/Push Carts: Refer to specific Notice to Players for host club’s policy.
 
Prizes: The Edwin M. Wild Championship Trophy will be presented to the Champion, engraved with their name, and displayed at their home club. Prizes awarded to the top ten finishers.

 

FINAL DECISION REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF ENTRIES IS AT THE DISCRETION OF NJ GOLF. THE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT OR WITHDRAW AN ENTRY AT ANY TIME, BEFORE OR DURING A COMPETITION OR MODIFY THE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM ANYTIME, IN ITS DISCRETION. IF NJ GOLF DETERMINES, IN ITS REASONABLE DISCRETION, THAT AN ENTRANT DOES NOT MEET THE ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS, THE ENTRANT MAY BE DISQUALIFIED, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER A CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BEEN PLAYED.