Record Turnout at the 2026 Torrey Pines Adaptive Golf Championship
There’s something special that happens when Torrey Pines opens its fairways to golfers who play the game on their own terms. On May 5, 2026, the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course hosted nearly 50 adaptive golfers from across the country for the fourth annual Adaptive Golf Championship — and this year set a new record for participation, making for one of the most inspiring days the course has seen.
From the first tee to the final putt, the day was a showcase of skill, sportsmanship and sheer enthusiasm. Players competed with focus and grit, but the atmosphere never lost its warmth. Friendly competition, encouragement between groups, and a shared love of the game defined the championship from start to finish.
What Makes the Adaptive Championship Different
The Adaptive Golf Championship at Torrey Pines creates a true tournament setting for golfers who require adaptive assistance — whether that means specialized equipment, specially trained caddies, or other accommodations. Course yardages and modifications are set in accordance with the official rules of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), ensuring fair, structured competition across a wide range of abilities.
Golfers compete within eight classifications, allowing players to face off against others with similar challenges and giving every competitor a genuine shot at the top of the leaderboard. The result is a championship that honors both the difficulty of the game and the remarkable ways these athletes have adapted to master it.
A Community Effort
An event of this scale doesn’t come together without an extraordinary group of partners and volunteers. The City of San Diego Golf Division, which organizes and hosts the championship, recognized the Torrey Pines Men’s Golf Club for providing major funding and supplying volunteers for ball spotting and other duties that made the day memorable for every participant.
The Golf Division also thanked its long-time partners who helped bring the championship to life: Therapeutic Recreation Services, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Torrey Pines Club Corp, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, and the Disabled Advisory Council. Their dedication is the foundation that makes this event possible year after year.
2026 Champions by Classification
Congratulations to all of this year’s competitors — and a special salute to the winners across all eight classifications:
Men’s Arm Assisted
T-1st: J. Snyder (80) · T-1st: Isaac Leos (80)
Men’s Arm
1st: Lucas Rosales (82) · 2nd: Elijah Sandoval (88)
Men’s Combined
1st: Mario Dino (75) · 2nd: Shawn Munn (78)
Men’s Lower Limb
1st: Timothy Alto (79) · T-2nd: Rob Hanly, Chris Paulsen, Michael Phillips, Dan Garson (88)
Women’s Lower Limb
1st: Rose Veldman (89)
Men’s Visual
1st: Jeremy Poincenot (81) · 2nd: Jeffrey Wood (94)
Men’s Seated
1st: Amaro Sanfeliz Espinosa (82) · 2nd: Chuck Ochoa (83)
Men’s Intellectual
1st: Bryan Liston (85) · 2nd: Jayson Jesperson (95)
Men’s Neurological
1st: Michael Finneran (83) · 2nd: David Steffan (91)
Women’s Neurological
1st: Bailey Bish (82)
Looking Ahead
With a record number of participants and a community of partners growing stronger every year, the Adaptive Golf Championship at Torrey Pines continues to prove that this iconic course has something to offer every golfer. It’s a tradition worth celebrating — and one we’ll be watching closely when it returns next year.
