In an electrifying development for golf enthusiasts, the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship is set to make its debut in New Zealand, with the eighth edition scheduled for 12–15 February 2026 at the storied Royal Wellington Golf Club.
This landmark event, orchestrated by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), promises to be a celebration of emerging talent and a launchpad for tomorrow’s champions.
New Zealand welcomes this prestigious tournament for the very first time—a fitting stage for an event that has grown into the preeminent women’s amateur championship in the region.
Year after year, the championship transforms the careers of its winners by granting life-changing exemptions into three women’s major championships, along with elite amateur events.
The ultimate prize package includes invitations to the AIG Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship, and the Amundi Evian Championship, plus opportunities to compete in 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.
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.”
APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin added, “From the outset, it was the intention to take the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific to different locations around our region.
Following successful events in Singapore and Thailand twice each, and once each in Abu Dhabi, Japan and Vietnam, we’re excited to be heading south to New Zealand in 2026 to the spectacular stage that is Royal Wellington. It promises to be a memorable occasion.”
Founded in 1895 and nestled alongside the Hutt River, Royal Wellington is renowned for its classic parkland layout and illustrious history.
The course has hosted the New Zealand Open on seven occasions—once witnessing local legend Steve Williams caddying for five-time Champion Golfer Peter Thomson back in 1976—and more recently staged the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2017, when China’s Yuxin Lin emerged victorious.
Local pride in hosting such an influential event is palpable. Jeff Latch, CEO of Golf New Zealand, commented, “Golf New Zealand is incredibly proud to welcome the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to Royal Wellington Golf Club.
As the pinnacle women’s amateur golf championship in the Asia-Pacific region, it provides a platform for the brightest young talents to compete on the world stage and will further inspire the next generation of golfers here in New Zealand.”
Mike O’Neill, Royal Wellington Club Captain, and Women’s Captain Jane Paterson both agree, “The hosting of this championship is both a privilege and an opportunity – not only for us, but for all of New Zealand.
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 genesis of this championship is rooted in a shared vision by The R&A and the APGC: to unearth emerging talent and provide Asia’s elite women amateurs with a gateway to the international stage.
This vision has been bolstered by the collaborative efforts of local partners like New Zealand Major Events and WellingtonNZ Events.
Kylie Hawker-Green, General Manager of New Zealand Major Events, commented, “New Zealand Major Events is excited to support The R&A, APGC and Golf New Zealand to bring this women’s championship to New Zealand for the first time.
“We have an ongoing commitment to supporting women and girls sporting events across multiple codes, and as golf is an increasingly popular sport for women and girls across the country, we see this as an excellent opportunity to bring some of the best amateur players to our shores.
In addition, through international broadcasting, it will help showcase New Zealand on the international stage.”
Heidi Morton, WellingtonNZ Events and Experiences General Manager, added, “The Women’s Amateur-Asia Pacific attracts a significant global audience and it’s incredibly exciting that one of Wellington’s premier sporting venues – the Royal Wellington Golf Club – and the Wellington region will be centre stage to an audience of millions.
“This championship will showcase the next generation of talent from across Asia-Pacific, and we’re proud to cement Wellington’s role in celebrating and elevating women’s global sport.”
Underpinned by the support of esteemed partners—including Rolex, ISPS Handa, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Peter Millar, and Titleist—the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and growing prominence of women’s golf across the region.
For more detailed information on the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, interested parties can visit the championship website.
