State amateur championships.
19 state amateur championships, each linked to the state or regional golf association that runs it. The directory does not cover every state yet; see the note below if yours isn't listed.
California State Amateur (NCGA)
Cal State Am (NCGA)California State Amateur, conducted by the Northern California Golf Association. Running since 1912, one of the oldest state amateurs in the country. 156-player match-play championship rotating through NCGA's premier member venues. Past champions include Ken Venturi, Bobby Clampett, and Mark O'Meara.
Since 1912, one of the oldest state amateur titles in the U.S.
SCGA Amateur Championship
SCGA AmSouthern California Golf Association Amateur Championship. The 2026 championship was 72-hole stroke play. Check the current championship page for eligibility, qualifying and format before entering a later edition.
Texas State Amateur Championship
Texas AmConducted by the Texas Golf Association. 72-hole stroke-play championship rotating through Texas's top private clubs. Check the current TGA championship notice for eligibility and qualifying.
Florida State Amateur Championship
Florida AmConducted by the Florida State Golf Association. Use its championship schedule to find the current State Amateur notice, qualifying sites and entry conditions.
New York State Amateur
NY State AmConducted by the New York State Golf Association. Its 2026 Men’s Amateur at Glens Falls was 72-hole stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes. Consult the current championship notice for the next edition.
Pennsylvania Amateur Championship
PA AmConducted by the Pennsylvania Golf Association. Its championship schedule lists the Amateur, Open and Mid-Amateur separately; check the entry terms for the event you intend to play.
Georgia Amateur Championship
Georgia AmConducted by the Georgia State Golf Association. The published championship format is 72-hole stroke play, with the field cut after 36 holes to the low 60 players and ties. Confirm the current entry notice.
Carolinas Amateur Championship
Carolinas AmConducted by the Carolinas Golf Association for North and South Carolina. Check the current championship notice for residency, membership, Handicap Index and qualifying requirements.
Tennessee State Amateur
Tennessee AmConducted by the Tennessee Golf Association. Open its current State Amateur championship information for format, entry conditions, qualifying and deadlines.
Ohio Amateur Championship
Ohio AmConducted by the Ohio Golf Association. 156-player stroke-play championship. Strong tradition given Ohio's golf history (Jack Nicklaus's home state) and the OGA's deep member-club rotation including Scioto and Inverness.
Michigan Amateur Championship
Michigan AmConducted by the Golf Association of Michigan. Match-play championship after stroke qualifying. Running since 1916. Past champions include Walter Hagen and Ryan Brehm. Hosted at premier Michigan venues including Oakland Hills and Crystal Downs.
Massachusetts Amateur Championship
Mass AmConducted by Mass Golf. Use the current Amateur championship page for entry eligibility, qualifying and the championship format.
Illinois State Amateur Championship
Illinois AmConducted by the Chicago District Golf Association. The Illinois State Amateur and CDGA Amateur are separate championships; use the Illinois State Amateur notice for its current format and qualifying terms.
New Jersey Amateur Championship
NJ AmConducted by NJ Golf. Read the current Amateur Championship entry notice for format, qualifying, membership and eligibility requirements.
Virginia State Amateur
Virginia AmConducted by the Virginia State Golf Association. Match-play championship after stroke qualifying. Hosted at Virginia's premier member venues including Kinloch, Independence, and Country Club of Virginia.
Maryland Amateur Championship
Maryland AmConducted by the Maryland State Golf Association. Match-play championship after stroke qualifying. The MSGA also runs the Maryland Open and Maryland Mid-Am, anchoring the state's competitive amateur calendar.
Colorado Amateur Championship
Colorado AmConducted by the Colorado Golf Association. 156-player stroke-play championship. Hosted at premier Front Range and mountain venues including Cherry Hills (multiple U.S. Opens) and Castle Pines.
Arizona Amateur Championship
Arizona AmConducted by the Arizona Golf Association. Match-play championship after stroke qualifying. Hosted at premier Arizona venues during the spring, one of the few state amateurs played outside summer due to desert climate.
Washington State Amateur Championship
WA State AmConducted by Washington Golf. Use the current Washington State Amateur championship page to confirm the format, qualifying and entry requirements.
State championship we're missing? An association's championship schedule is also where its open, mid-amateur, senior and four-ball events appear if it runs them. The USGA's list of Allied Golf Associations links to each association's own site.
About state amateur championships
A state amateur championship is conducted under its organizer’s own terms. For verified 2026 format examples, New York, Georgia and the SCGA Amateur used 72-hole stroke play. These examples do not establish the format of every state championship or a future edition.
Whether a state amateur counts toward the WAGR ranking, or leads to an exemption or an invitation elsewhere, depends on the terms of the ranking and of the other event, such as the marquee invitationals. Check those terms rather than assuming; the rankings directory links to the official WAGR tables. Check the field's handicap requirement before you enter; each association sets the limit for each event and year.
An association may also run an open championship for professionals and amateurs, a mid-amateur, a senior amateur and four-ball events. Each sets its own age lines: in Mass Golf's 2026 schedule, its Mid-Amateur was for players 25 and over, its Senior Amateur 55 and over, its Super Senior Amateur 65 and over and its Women's Senior Amateur 50 and over. Read the association's terms for the event you want.
Frequently asked questions
How do I qualify for my State Amateur?
Each state or regional association sets its own entry terms, so read that year's terms on its site. One dated example: Mass Golf's 2026 Amateur asked for an active Mass Golf Membership, a Handicap Index not exceeding 3.6 at registration, and five rounds played and posted at a Mass Golf member club or course within 12 months of the entry close date. Look for the handicap limit, any posted-score rule, whether there is a qualifying round, and how the field is filled if entries exceed the places.
Do I need to be a resident of the state to play in its State Amateur?
It depends on the association. Mass Golf's 2026 Amateur listed an active Mass Golf Membership among its eligibility terms, and its New England Amateur accepted players with an active Handicap Index at a member club of any New England state golf association. Neither entry on that page mentioned residence. Confirm residency, membership and club requirements with the association before you enter.
Is the State Amateur stroke play or match play?
Both formats are used, and the association sets the format in that year's terms. In Mass Golf's 2026 schedule, for example, the Women's Amateur was a 36-hole stroke-play qualifier to match play for 32 players, while the Women's Stroke Play Championship was 36 holes of stroke play. Check the current year's notice of championship.