Staff WriterThe PGA NCCGA National Championship is heading to New Mexico — and not just anywhere, but to the majestic fairways of Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, April 24–26, 2026. It’s a fitting stage for college club golf’s crown jewel, where over 200 of the nation’s best student golfers will trade textbooks for birdies in a 36-hole battle under the desert sun.
“We’re thrilled to bring the PGA NCCGA National Championship to Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs next year,” said PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague, PGA.
“Our goal with this championship is to create an unforgettable experience for these collegiate club golfers, and we’re confident these outstanding courses, their dedicated staff and the remarkable setting will deliver.”
This year’s championship format stays true to tradition: a 36-hole stroke play contest featuring both Team and Individual divisions. Each team will field up to eight players, counting the best five scores per round — a setup that rewards consistency, chemistry, and nerves of steel.
A Venue Steeped in Championship Pedigree
The twin courses are no strangers to elite competition. Operated by My New Mexico Golf, the pairing sits quietly between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande, a backdrop that would make even seasoned pros pause mid-backswing.
Twin Warriors has already played host to the 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship and the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, co-hosted with Santa Ana. It’s also the proud home of the 17u PGA Jr. League Championship since its inception in 2023.
“On behalf of the Pueblo of Santa Ana and our team of 140 that includes seven PGA Golf Professionals, we are truly excited to welcome the 2026 PGA NCCGA National Championship to Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs,” said Derek Gutierrez, PGA, General Manager & Director of Golf at Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
“Hosting championships is part of our proud tradition, and we look forward to extending exceptional hospitality and championship-level experience to these talented collegiate club golfers. We’re honoured to share our courses, our culture, and our community with the competitors, their families, and supporters.”
A Stage for Every Student Golfer
The National Collegiate Club Golf Association sits under the PGA umbrella, working to ensure that every student — not just scholarship athletes — has the chance to play competitive golf in college.
With more than 200 universities fielding club golf teams across the United States, the NCCGA has become the lifeline for students who balance academics with fairway ambitions.
Each year, the organisation runs four regional 36-hole events in 27 regions nationwide. Every tournament is co-ed and open to full-time students, meaning you don’t need a five-player roster to represent your school — just a bag, a swing, and the will to compete.
Regional play began in September, with teams chasing coveted invitations to the national stage in New Mexico. Automatic bids go to:
- The top two teams from each National Qualifier across the country
- The top two teams from the Pinehurst Open
- The highest nationally ranked teams not yet qualified
- The defending champions, North Carolina State University
- Plus, the top individual players not already on qualifying teams
The Road to New Mexico
It’s not just another stop on the student golf calendar — it’s where college club golf peaks. The PGA NCCGA National Championship has grown from a modest idea into a national proving ground where future coaches, club professionals, and lifelong players sharpen their craft.
As the 2026 event looms, anticipation is already simmering across campuses. Expect birdies, heartbreak, and the kind of camaraderie that defines the very soul of college golf.
Twin Warriors and Santa Ana aren’t just hosting a championship — they’re welcoming the next generation of golfers to a stage worthy of their grit and passion.
