103rd BDGA Individual Championship

  East Aurora Country Club | July 29-31, 2026

 

JUMP TO: QUALIFIER

 

Terms of the Competition

ELIGIBILITY

This championship is open to male and female amateur golfers who meet the following requirements:

  • Membership:  All players must have an active USGA GHIN Handicap at a BDGA Member Club, or reside in a BDGA territory and have an active GHIN Handicap through the NYSGA eClub - WNY (Residency Required). Canadian citizens must belong to a BDGA member club.
  • USGA Handicap Index: Have a USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less (men) or 20.0 or less (women).

 

ENTRIES, DEADLINE, AND REFUND POLICY

  • Entries: An entry must be submitted online with payment prior to the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted, regardless of reason.
  • Entry Fee: This championship uses a two-tiered entry fee:
    • Qualifying Fee: $50. Players who qualify must pay the championship fee of $230
    • Exempt Player Fee: $230 for men and $135 for women. This includes green fees, lunch, prizes and awards.
    • Junior Girls' Fee: $0. Entry fees for junior girls (18u) entering the women's division of the 2026 BDGA Individual are covered by the Diane Fermoile-McAvoy fund.
  • Deadline: Entries must be received prior to the deadline (Wednesday, July 15 at 12PM). Late entries will not be accepted, regardless of reason.

  • Refund Policy:

    • Withdrawal PRIOR TO entry deadline: Entry fee less $20

    • Withdrawal AFTER entry deadline: Entry fee less $50

    • Withdrawal WITHIN 2 DAYS of the competition: No Refund

 

FIELD SIZES AND QUALIFYING INFORMATION

The field for the BDGA Men's Individual Championship is limited to 84 players, and the field for the BDGA Women's Individual Championship is limited to 9 players. All non-exempt players must qualify to earn a spot in the Championship (Women are not required to qualify). Click here for qualifying information.

 

EXEMPT PLAYERS

Players in the following categories are exempt into this year's Championship. The BDGA reserves the right to revise any of the exemption categories. Exempt players must submit an entry prior to the deadline. Exemption List.

  • E1. Winners of the BDGA Individual Championship from the last 20 years. 
  • E2. From the 2025 BDGA Men's Points List, the 20 top performers.
  • E3. From the 2025 BDGA Men's Senior Points List, the 5 top performers.  
  • E4. From the 2025 BDGA Individual Championship, the 20 lowest scorers (and ties). 
  • E5. Winners of the following 2025 BDGA Championships:
    • BDGA Two-Man Scramble (Scratch Division)
    • BDGA Mid-Amateur Championship
    • BDGA Senior Championship
    • BDGA Junior Stroke Play Championship
    • BDGA Junior Match Play Championship
    • Erie County Amateur Championship (Men's Division)
    • BDGA Individual Championship
    • BDGA Match Play Championship                                                                                                            

 

FORMAT

Men: 54 holes of stroke play (cut to low 30 + ties after 36 holes). 

Women: 54 holes of stroke play (no cut).

 

COURSE YARDAGE

Play will be from the blue tees for the Men's Championship. (~6,400yds)

Play will be from the red tees for the Women's Championship (~5,100yds)

 

RULES

All play will be governed by the USGA Rules of Golf. Players will be provided a "Notice to Players" rules sheet containing local rules and conditions. The BDGA will have volunteer Rules Officials on the course to provide rulings and answer questions.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (MEN & WOMEN) - PROSPECTIVE DATES

Wednesday, July 29 // Round 1 // Tee times TBD

Thursday, July 30 // Round 2 // Tee times TBD

Friday, July 31 // Round 3 // Tee times TBD

 

RANKINGS

The 2026 BDGA Individual Championship is ranked by  World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) & Team New York. 

                                                                           

 

                                                                     

 

 

EXEMPTIONS

The winner of the 2026 BDGA Men's Individual Championship will be exempt into the 2026 NYS Men's Mid-Amateur Championship & 2027 NYS Men's Amateur Championship

 

                                                                           

PRACTICE ROUNDS

Contact the club for practice round availability

 

TEE TIME REQUESTS
The BDGA will make every effort to accommodate tee time requests, which must be submitted no later than Wednesday, July 15 at 12PM. (click here). Pairing requests will not be accepted.

 

GOLF CARTS AND RANGE

Payment for use of golf carts and the range is included in your entry fee. Players may choose to walk if desired. The BDGA has adopted the NYSGA 'One-Seat' Policy. (Two carts for three riders, One cart for two.)

 

CADDIES

The use of a caddie is permitted. All Caddies must adhere to BDGA Policies. 

 

PLAYERS LUNCHES

Lunches will be provided to the players following the conclusion of rounds 1 and 2. 

 

BDGA POY POINTS

This is a BDGA POY points event. Click Here to view points page.

 

PRIZES AND AWARDS

The champion, runner-up, and low senior will each receive a trophy. Additional top finishers (based on the number of entrants) will receive prizes as gift certificates from the pro shop.

 

EAST AURORA COUNTRY CLUB
300 Girdle Road East Aurora, NY 14052

(716) 652-6800
David Jones, Head Professional 
eastauroracc.com

 

BDGA OFFICIAL-IN-CHARGE

Jack Corcoran, NYSGA Manager of Regional Associations
jcorcoran@nysga.org