72 holes of individual stroke play with a field of 144 players: 72 men and 72 women. There will be a 36-hole cut, with the low 36 and ties of both the men’s and women’s divisions advancing to the final two rounds.

A daily schedule can be found on the Championships Schedule page.

The SWGA Selection Committee will choose 72 men and 72 women to compete based on playing resume and rankings.

Both exempt and non-exempt players must register through the Golf Genius portal during the registration window, which runs from January 15 through May 15, 2026.

The entry fee is $395 and includes one practice round, all tournament rounds, practice balls, meals (breakfast and lunch daily) and awards. Thanks to a wonderful gift from The Thunderbirds, players will also receive complimentary carts for each round.

All registrations will initially be marked as “Pending.” Exempt players will be accepted into the field after they register. Non-exempt players will be notified of their status and if they do not make the final field, they will receive a full refund of their entry fee.

More information, including men’s and women’s exemption categories and a link to registration, can be found on the Player Registration page.

Championship awards will be presented to the champion and runner-up in each division along with merchandise certificates for the top 20 finishers in each division.

The champions will receive an exemption into the next five Southwestern Amateur Championships and the top 20 plus ties will receive exemptions into the 2027 championship.

As the Women’s Southwestern Championship is a member of the Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series (WEAGS), the champion will receive an exemption into each of the other WEAGS events.

Should you need to withdraw your application before the entry deadline, the entry fee will be refunded minus a $50 processing fee. Withdrawals after the entry deadline and before pairings are made (the Friday before the event) will receive a 50% refund. Withdrawals after pairings are made will not receive a refund.

EXCEPTIONS: Curtis Cup team members, U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open qualifiers will receive a full refund if the withdrawal occurs before the entry deadline. Requests for refunds in other “exceptional circumstances” will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Non-exempt players who are not selected for the final field will receive a full refund of the entry fee.

If it is necessary for a player to withdraw during the event, he/she must notify an onsite official prior to leaving the golf course. If withdrawing prior to starting a stipulated round, the player must contact the Tournament Director. Violation of this policy will result in non-acceptance of future entries.

One practice round will be available for each competitor, on either Monday, June 8 or Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Following the close of entries, requests for a practice round tee time must be made directly via email with Desert Mountain Head Golf Professional at Outlaw, Riley Hayfield by emailing rhayfield@desertmt.com. Requests for additional practice rounds, or practice rounds prior to Monday, June 8 will not be accepted.

The driving range and all practice facilities will be open one hour before the first tee time and until 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) each day.

All players must register in person at the Player Registration area located in the Outlaw Clubhouse Breezeway between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Each player will obtain his/her tee gifts and first and second round starting times. Any player failing to register without notice may be withdrawn from the field.

Play will begin on holes 1 and 11 for each round of the tournament on the Outlaw course. (Due to the unique layout of the Outlaw course, the back side will start on Hole 11).  There will be morning and afternoon waves for Rounds 1 and 2. Groups for these rounds starting early from hole 1 on the first day in the morning wave will start later from hole 11 in the afternoon wave on the next day and vice-versa.

Friday and Saturday rounds will continue in a morning wave only. The field will be split equally with the leaders starting last on the first hole and the highest scores starting first on the 11th hole. In Round 3, the women will play first, then followed by the men.  For the Final Round, the men will play first, then followed by the women.

During the tournament, players will be provided with breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Outlaw Clubhouse.

Tee times for Wednesday and Thursday are on the pairings sheet. For Friday and Saturday play, they will be available on the SWGA website – swga.net – as well as being emailed to all players in the field.

Caddies are permitted for the practice rounds and all rounds of the competition. The player is responsible to ensure his/her caddie complies with all SWGA policies during the tournament. Please review the Caddie Policy on the Conditions of Competition page.

Although the SWGA encourages walking by all participants and caddies, motorized transportation is permitted for participants during all Championship rounds. Players are permitted to walk or employ the use of a cart during any round.

To the Desert Mountain Club from I-10 (near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport): (driving time: ~60 minutes). Take 202 East to 101 North (4.2 miles). Take the 101 to Exit 36, Pima Road-Princess Drive (15 miles). After exiting the 101 turn right onto Pima Road. Continue on Pima to Cave Creek Road (11 miles). Turn right on Cave Creek Road (4.2 miles) and proceed to the Outlaw Clubhouse at 41045 N Cave Creek Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85262.

Information about our host hotel, as well as other hotels within 30 minutes of Desert Mountain can be found on the Lodging page.