The 2026 77th U.S. Girls' Junior Championship

One of golf’s oldest national titles comes to the Triangle area for the first time.

In July 2026, 156 of the world’s best young women golfers come to Chatham County for the 77th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at Old Chatham Golf Club. It is one of women’s golf’s oldest national titles, dating to 1949, and its past winners, including Mickey Wright, Nancy Lopez, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang, and many more, are a roll call of the players who built the women’s game.

This is the first time the championship has come to North Carolina’s Triangle Area, and only the fourth time it’s been held in the state. From Monday, July 13, through Saturday, July 18, Chatham County will transform into the epicenter of the women’s amateur golf world. We expect visitors from across the country: spectators, families, college recruiters, golf media, and locals.

This microsite is your local guide to the week, featuring logistics and FAQs, key links, accommodations, itinerary recommendations, and more. We look forward to hosting you.

Championship Course

The Triangle’s most exclusive private golf club offers an unparalleled golf experience. A 16-acre practice facility, an 18-hole course set in 400 acres of protected land-forever free of development, an elegant golf clubhouse, and a traditional caddie program are all reserved for member-only play.

Old Chatham has stepped into the championship rotation gradually but seriously. It hosted the 2009 North Carolina Amateur (marking the Carolinas Golf Association’s centennial), the 2014 North Carolina Mid-Amateur, the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur won by Bob Royak, and recent U.S. Open Final Qualifying events.

Winning Destination

Our location is part of the Research Triangle Region and is in the center of North Carolina, making it an easy drive from anywhere in the state or even neighboring states. We’re centrally located between Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and GSO International Airports, with RDU 36 miles from Pittsboro and GSO 53 miles from Siler City. Chatham County has hosted major events, sometimes at multiple facilities, with guests and spectators staying at area hotels, B&Bs, Airbnbs, campsites, and other accommodations.

Plan your visit

Beyond sporting facilities and events, our destination offers many places to explore, with a focus on craft beverages, wine tastings and tours, local art and music, shopping, natural areas, and farm-to-fork experiences.

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FAQs

The USGA will post ticketing, parking, shuttle, and ADA accessibility details, including accessible viewing areas and transportation accommodations on request, on the official championship page as the event approaches. Mid-July in Chatham County is hot; expect highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, with humidity to match. The course is walkable but covers 400 acres, and most of your day will be spent on your feet under open sky between stands of pine. Plan accordingly.

Given the expected number of athletes, spectators, and volunteers, on-site parking is unavailable at Old Chatham, and you will not be able to take a taxi or rideshare directly to or from the golf club. Park-and-ride shuttle services will be available, with parking locations announced closer to the event date – stay tuned. 

We have over 300 rooms across the county, including traditional motels and hotels, bed-and-breakfast inns, and vacation rentals. Chatham County is also home to numerous Airbnb properties, RV parks, and campsites. Contact us for assistance with reserving a room block at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsboro or with any of our other local accommodations.

Old Chatham has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and clubhouse, as well as golf carts available for rent. For the 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, the USGA provides accessible spectator viewing areas, accessible transportation, and additional accommodations on request; full details and a guest services contact will be posted on championships.usga.org as the event approaches.

The field of 156 plays two days of stroke play (July 13–14) before the cut to 64 for match play, building to a 36-hole final on Saturday, July 18

The USGA staffs every championship with on-site meteorologists who monitor conditions throughout the week. When the weather threatens, electronic leaderboards display weather warning signs, and spectators are advised to take precautions and seek shelter before play is officially suspended. Play continues until air horns sound using a standardized signal system.

When play is suspended, spectators are instructed to close their umbrellas, seek shelter, and avoid open areas, hilltops, isolated trees, golf carts, and wire fences. In the event of a full suspension, the grounds are typically cleared, and spectators are directed to take a shuttle back to their cars, though some venues open the clubhouse or grandstand areas as shelter during brief weather events. Re-entry is allowed for weather warnings only. For longer disruptions, the USGA generally tries to resume play the same day. If a full day is washed out, the USGA may offer alternate-day admission for affected ticket holders or, in some cases, refunds; exact remedies depend on the championship and how far play has progressed.

For the 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior specifically, the USGA will publish a championship-specific spectator guide on championships.usga.org closer to the event, including shelter locations at Old Chatham, the dedicated weather contact, and day-by-day refund/rescheduling terms.

The Old Chatham Golf Club offers in-house dining in the clubhouse, with additional grab-and-go options available throughout the week. The Club is in proximity to two shopping and dining areas, as well as Fearrington Village, Governors Club, and Briar Chapel. Discover our local eateries and craft beverage makers

USGA event policy applies: service animals are welcome, but personal pets are generally not permitted on tournament grounds. Specifics will be posted on championships.usga.org closer to the event.

USGA championships place multiple first-aid stations across the grounds — typically two to four locations, often near major fan areas and on the course itself (e.g., behind specific greens). Stations are staffed by physicians and other licensed medical practitioners, frequently in partnership with local hospitals and emergency services. In the event of a medical emergency, spectators are asked to notify a volunteer, security personnel, or a USGA official, or call 911 directly if the situation is life-threatening. First-aid stations also serve as private spaces for nursing mothers and, at hot-weather events, double as cooling stations.

The specifics for this year’s event — station locations, hours of operation, and the local medical partner staffing them — will be published on championships.usga.org as the event approaches.

Junior tickets at USGA championships are usually free with a ticketed adult, so feel free to bring the family. Strollers are generally welcome; check the fan guide for any size restrictions.

USGA championships rely on hundreds of volunteers, with shifts available in standard-bearing, marshaling, transportation, hospitality, scoring, and player services. Most committees offer flexible single-day or full-week options, and registration is open now at events.trustevent.com.

Ticketing information TBA.

Complimentary water is provided at all first-aid stations, and dedicated hydration stations are placed throughout the golf course — usually two to four locations on top of the first-aid taps, sited near tees and greens that anchor heavy spectator traffic. Spectators are permitted to bring one empty water bottle into the championship, provided it is 32 oz. or smaller, clear, and not glass. Specific water station locations will be in the official fan guide closer to the event. Refill often. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (apply before you arrive and bring a travel-size tube to reapply). Loblolly pines provide some shade along fairways, but most viewing areas — tees, greens, grandstands — are in full sun.

Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes or athletic sneakers. Spectators walk on grass, cart paths, and rough terrain. Skip the sandals and the new shoes you haven’t broken in. Lightweight, breathable layers. A thin rain jacket or compact poncho is worth the room in your bag — afternoon thunderstorms are common in North Carolina summers and can roll in fast (see our weather policy section for what happens if play is suspended).

USGA championships restrict bags to small, clear totes or non-clear bags no larger than 6″×6″×6″. Confirm exact dimensions in the official fan guide before you pack.

Concessions and the merchandise tent at recent USGA championships have been cashless. Bring a card. In-house merchandise will be available in the pro shop.

Coolers, outside food and drinks (other than the empty bottle above), large camera lenses, signs, and noisemakers are typically prohibited. The USGA’s full list of prohibited items will be published on the championship page.

Discover Chatham

The latest news about the event, recommendations to guide your itinerary, and more.