In 2026, the 40th Washington Senior Men’s and 18th Washington Super Senior Men’s amateur championships are headed to the state’s capital.
Olympia Country & Golf Club will host both, held concurrently from June 2-4, 2026, marking the first time the Thurston County golf course will have been the site of any WA Golf championship since the inaugural Senior Men’s Amateur in 1987. Prior to that, it had also hosted the Washington Men’s Amateur on three occasions, including in 1978, when Fred Couples took the title. In addition to those four championships, the golf course also hosted the PNGA Women’s Amateur in 2023.
The timing of the championships is significant, as 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Olympia Country & Golf Club, which opened its doors in 1926 and has been a cornerstone of the region’s golf community ever since.
“Reaching 100 years is a milestone few clubs achieve,” said Mitch Berschauer, PGA head golf professional at OC&GC. “Being entrusted with a state championship during that celebration speaks volumes about the course, the membership, and our long-standing commitment to championship golf. It’s a wonderful way to honor our past while showcasing the course to some of the best senior players in the state.”
According to Berschauer, the historic layout provides challenges that will reasonably suit the best senior and super senior players. It measures over 6,200 yards and features tight, tree-lined fairways situated along the Budd Inlet in the South Sound.
“While accuracy off the tee is important, success here often comes down to course management and approach play,” Berschauer explained. “Subtle elevation changes, well-protected greens, and thoughtfully placed hazards challenge players to think their way around the course. The greens always roll true and fast, which will be a great test for polished Senior Am players.”
Predictably, the high-level golf present at these championships has led to intense finishes. In last year’s Washington Senior Men’s Amateur, Paul Hogben captured the title by way of an ace on the championship’s third playoff hole. In the Super Senior, Richard Jonson claimed the trophy in regulation by just one stroke, managing a par on his last hole to preserve his spot atop the leaderboard. Both championships were held at Red Wolf Golf Club in Clarkston, Wash.
Other previous champions include Ken Wade (2024), Tom Brandes (nine times, most recently 2023), Erik Hanson (2022) and Jim McNelis (2017).
Jonson joined a list of Super Senior champions that also includes Norm Bradley (2024), John Gallacher (2023), McNelis (2022) and Mark Johnson (2021).
“We’re honored to welcome competitors, officials, and spectators, and we look forward to showcasing not only the course, but the spirit of the club that has endured for a century,” Berschauer said.
The Washington Senior Men’s and Super Senior Men’s amateur championships are two of 14 championships held annually by WA Golf.