2026 National Links Trust Championship Headed to Maryland
Premier national championship for public-access men and women golfers will be held at Northwest Golf Course in Silver Spring, Maryland
Washington, DC — National Links Trust (NLT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC dedicated to positively impacting local communities and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf, has announced that the 2026 National Links Trust Championship Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will take place October 16–18 at Northwest Golf Course in Silver Spring, Maryland. This premier national championship is exclusively for public-access male and female golfers aged 25 and older.
Following three successful years at the historic Blue Course at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC, the new venue is a 1964 Ed Ault design owned and operated by Montgomery County, Maryland. The event will again comprise 54 holes of stroke play competition, making it eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
“We are eager to continue building a legacy of accessibility and affordability in the elite amateur game with this event,” said Sinclair Eaddy Jr., Tournament Chairman and member of the United States Golf Association (USGA) Executive Committee. “The last three years have proven that there is an appetite amongst every day, public players to test their skills against the best of their peers from across the country. To be able to continue hosting this event in partnership with the Amateur Golf Alliance is exciting.”
Past editions of the championship featured competitive fields, including players with extensive experience at the top levels of amateur golf. Inaugural women’s division champion Stephanie Tran (California) has competed in USGA championships, as has inaugural men’s division champion Tyler McKeever. (Georgia) McKeever, a multi-time participant in USGA championships, earned invitations to prestigious events such as the George L. Coleman Invitational at Seminole Golf Club and the Walter J. Travis Invitational at Garden City Golf Club following his 2023 NLT Championship victory. 2025 men’s division champion, Trent Peterson (Minnesota), is a prolific amateur in the upper Midwest having won his home state’s amateur, mid-amateur, and open (as an amateur) during his career. All three of these accomplished players are expected to compete in 2026.
The championship will once again be organized in partnership with Anera Sports, a leader in tournament operations and logistics, with DICK’S Sporting Goods returning as the presenting sponsor.
Eligibility & Qualifying
The National Links Trust Championship is open exclusively to public-access golfers age 25 and over. Entries are open to male and female amateur golfers who have a USGA Handicap Index of 8.0 or less for men and 12.0 or less for women, as there will be both men’s and women’s divisions at the Championship. The Championship will be limited to 78 players and will be contested over 54 holes of individual stroke play with 18 holes per day. Aligning with NLT’s commitment to accessibility in golf, the Championship’s entry fee will be affordable and stipends will be provided to players traveling to Washington, DC for the event.
Ahead of the championship, a series of 18-hole qualifying tournaments will be held around the country at public facilities. The current list of finalized sites and dates are below. More qualifiers will be announced in the coming months.
More About National Links Trust
National Links Trust (NLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC dedicated to positively impacting local communities and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf. In addition to management and planning for renovation projects at the three Washington, DC courses, NLT’s portfolio of work includes several community impact initiatives that aim to accomplish their mission and broaden golf’s horizons in local community. These initiatives include the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program, Free Lesson Friday, and environmental improvement projects. NLT also works to highlight and elevate municipal golf nationwide through educational events aimed at connecting and educating stakeholders from across the country and hosting the National Links Trust Championship. Learn more at NationalLinksTrust.org.
More about Anera Sports
Anera Sports was started in 2019 with a mission of sharing our teams experience with organizations committed to excellence. Anera’s leadership brings over 75 years of tournament operations, association management, business acumen and industry relationships that are resources for our clients. Known for exceptional administration of championships at the highest level, along with leading business operations to new heights. Anera’s scope of services includes tournament management, association management, sponsorship promotion, and consulting. Anera manages some of the top amateur events in the country along with serving as the host organization for two PGA Korn Ferry Tour events. Anera Sports is based in Dallas, TX. Learn more at Anerasports.com.