VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Great Gorge in Vernon Township will host two major park golf tournaments this summer as competitors from across the country vie for national titles and the chance to represent the United States at the World Park Golf Championship in Japan.
The 2026 1Club Park Golf Tour will feature the North American Park Golf Championship on July 25 and the inaugural 1Club Park Golf Classic on Aug. 22 at 1Club at The Great Gorge in Vernon. Both tournaments are sanctioned by the International Park Golf Association of America.
The Aug. 22 championship will determine the top male and female players who will earn spots on Team USA for the World Park Golf Championship in Japan later this year.
Registration is open for both tournaments.
Often described as “the pickleball of golf,” park golf originated in Japan and is played by more than 2 million people on more than 2,000 courses worldwide. The sport combines elements of golf and croquet, with players using a single flat-faced club and a larger ball designed to make the game accessible to participants of all skill levels.
1Club at The Great Gorge is New Jersey’s first and only park golf course.
“We’re incredibly excited to host not just one, but two premier Park Golf championships at 1Club this summer,” said David Killin, general manager of The Great Gorge. “From day one, our vision for 1Club was to create a destination that could elevate Park Golf in the United States while delivering an unforgettable experience for every player who visits. With a standout course design, a vibrant social atmosphere, and unique features like nighttime play under the lights, 1Club is helping define what the future of Park Golf can look like here in America. These championships are a major milestone for us, for Vernon, and for the continued growth of the sport nationwide.”
The North American Park Golf Championship will feature two 18-hole rounds, with the top three male and female finishers earning championship honors.
The inaugural 1Club Park Golf Classic will also consist of two 18-hole rounds and will serve as the qualifying event for the World Park Golf Championship.
Both tournaments are limited to 72 players and include men’s and women’s divisions. Participants will receive breakfast and lunch as part of the tournament experience.
More information and registration details are available at play1club.com/park-golf-championships-2026/.
