The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) have announced that the eighth edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be held at Royal Wellington in New Zealand from February 12-15, 2026.
This will be the first time New Zealand has hosted the championship, which aims to inspire future generations of women golfers and has evolved into the preeminent women’s amateur championship in the Asia-Pacific region.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Each year, the WAAP provides the champion with life-changing opportunities through exemptions into three women’s major championships and elite amateur championships.
The winner will be invited to compete in the Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship and Evian Championship. In addition, they will be invited to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Hana Financial Group Championship.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are delighted to bring the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to New Zealand for the first time," said R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.
"With the region’s best women amateurs competing for major opportunities, Royal Wellington, which has already hosted the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, will be an outstanding golf course to test their skill and truly let their talent shine through.”
First established in 1895 and situated alongside the Hutt River in Upper Hutt, north of the nation's capital, Royal Wellington is well-renowned as a parkland layout and is one of the premier courses in New Zealand.
"Golf New Zealand is incredibly proud to welcome the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to Royal Wellington Golf Club," said Jeff Latch, Golf New Zealand CEO.
Royal Wellington has hosted the New Zealand Open on seven occasions, including in 1976 when local Steve Williams caddied in his first significant tournament for five-time champion golfer Peter Thomson. More recently, the course hosted the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship won by China’s Yuxin Lin in 2017.
“The hosting of this championship is both a privilege and an opportunity - not only for us, but for all of New Zealand," Royal Wellington club captain Mike O'Neill and women's captain Jane Paterson said in a statement.
"This is our chance to see the best young women amateur golfers from the Asia-Pacific region playing in our own backyard. We look forward to sharing our club and our region with the competitors, their friends and family, and all who visit the club during the championship.”
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and the APGC to unearth emerging talent and provide a route for Asia’s elite women amateurs to the international stage.