126th WPGA Amateur Championship - Exempt Player Registration
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for the William C. Fownes, Jr. Trophy
Entries Close: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 05:00 PM
FORMAT: 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying rounds. 54 holes of stroke play for championship. The championship will be limited to 78 players. See schedule below.
ELIGIBILITY: 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:
Preliminary Qualifying Rounds
A. April 23rd - Latrobe Elks Lodge Golf Club, Latrobe, PA
B. May 7th - Willowbrook Country Club, Apollo, PA
C. May 14th - Lawrence Park Golf Club, Erie, PA
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at The Kahkwa Club
A. Monday, July 14 – 36 holes of stroke play. Field cut to 32 plus ties following Round Two.
B. Tuesday, July 15 – 18 holes of stroke play.
2026 Amateur Exemptions
2016-2025 WPGA Amateur Champions:
- David Fuhrer, Nathan Piatt, Sean Knapp, Brady Pevarnik, Tanner Johnson, Connor Schmidt, Matt Holuta, & Dan Thompson
2025 WPGA Men’s, Senior & Junior Players of the Year:
- Darin Kowalski, Rick Stimmel, & Michael Quallich
2023-2025 WPGA Mid-Amateur Champions:
- Ian Banger & Austin Lemieux
2021-2025 Pennsylvania Amateur Champions:
- Rocco Salvitti & Gregory Meyer
2023-2025 Pennsylvania Middle-Amateur Champions
2024-2025 WPGA Junior Champions:
- Nick Turowski
2025 C.R. Miller Champion:
- Griffin Hansberry
2025 WPGA Senior Amateur Champion:
- Artie Fink
2025 Jamison Cup Medalist:
- Andrew Friend
2026 WPGA Spring Stroke Play - Top 3:
2025 Erie District GA Amateur Stroke Play Champion:
- Alex Weir
2025 WPGA Amateur - Top 10 & ties:
- Carson Kittsley, JF Aber, Hunter Swidzinski, Matthew Mattioli, Timothy Peters, & Scott Jordan
2025 Pennsylvania Amateur - Top 10 & ties:
- Chuck Tragesser
2025 WPGA Mid-Amateur - Top 3 & ties:
- Jon Pratkanis & David Kostanich
2025 Low amateur, West Penn Open, and any amateur in Top 10:
- Amani Dambrosio
2025 WPGA Honor Roll - Top 5
2025 U.S. Open local qualifiers
2025 USGA Championship match play qualifiers
2025 WPGA Palmer Cup team members (non-senior):
- Matt Barto, Ryan Costello, & Kevin Fajt
2025 Kahkwa Men’s Club Champion:
- Evan Rowane
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee.
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS:
Champion - Next ten WPGA Amateur Championships
Top 10 & ties - 2027 WPGA Amateur Championship
Champion - Next four WPGA Open Championships
Top 3 & Ties - 2027 WPGA Open Championship.
This is a USNDP Team Pennsylvania points list counting event for participating juniors.
ENTRIES (Form, Fee, Closing Date): Entry and fee of $180.00 must be submitted to the Association by 5:00 P.M. EST, by Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 to be considered. Entry fee includes greens fee, cart fees, range fee, locker fee, prizes, trophies, and lunch. Late entries will not be accepted for WPGA Amateur Qualifying Rounds or for Exempt Players.
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 Management 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.
PRIZES: A trophy will be awarded to the winning player. Prizes will be awarded to the top players and ties. The Amateur Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll event. Prizes will consist of credits in the host club’s golf shop.
REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:
A. Players may take carts during the qualifying rounds. Caddies are permitted.
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.
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).
