The Quad Cities will host the region’s first Division I Women’s Golf National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCCA) Championship in 2026 along with the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Women’s Golf Championships in 2026-27.
The news from Visit Quad Cities comes after the destination marketing organization announced last month it had lured the 2027-28 Men’s Division III Wrestling Championships to the bistate region.
The NJCAA selected Sports QC Powered by Visit Quad Cities to host the Quad-Cities first-ever Division I championship in any college sport. It will tee off on May 11-14, 2026, at Coal Valley’s Oakwood Country Club. That top-of-the-line course and facilities will provide student-athletes, staff, and spectators with an enhanced and positive experience, Visit QC said in a news release.
“I’m excited to have the Women’s National Championship in the Quad Cities,” added Jim Gerwitz, the Division I Women’s Golf chair. “The opportunity to play a PGA-caliber championship golf course like Oakwood Country Club will be a tremendous experience for our student-athletes.”
Oakwood is an 18-hole course that presents competitive challenges for golfers at every level. It had been home to PGA Tour events from 1975 through 1999. That history and its facilities make Oakwood an ideal site for the NJCAA National Championship, the release said.
The MVC tournament will bring together at TPC Deere Run, Silvis, 11 NCAA Division I institutions. (The MVC is no stranger to the Quad Cities. Visit QC has hosted the MVC Women’s College Basketball Tournament for years.)
Now MVC women golfers will soon compete here in a 54-hole stroke-play format, with 18 holes played each day. A Saturday practice round will precede the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday competition. Tournament dates are April 18-21, 2026, and April 17-20, 2027.
‘Thrilled and grateful’
“We are thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to host the 2026 NJCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship at Oakwood Country Club,” Visit QC President and CEO Dave Herrell said in the release.
“Collegiate sporting events and hosting national championships are valuable to the region because they uniquely position the market in a positive way as we look to drive increased visitation, strengthen resident pride, and share our story at the national level,” he added. “And our Sports QC Powered By Visit Quad Cities efforts continue to help shape brand perception and boost economic impact through sports tourism.”
Mr. Herrell also celebrated the region’s partnership with NJCAA. He said it is important to Visit QC’s board and professional team as they “look forward to growing this relationship for the long-term.”
He also celebrated Visit’s strong partnership and collaboration with Oakwood, which boasts a number of attributes that will benefit coaches, student-athletes and fans.
They include meeting and banquet facilities that hold up to 300 people and ample space to meet the needs of those involved with the event. There also is a complete practice area for both long and short games. Not only are the facilities up to par, Visit QC added, Oakwood’s team includes two PGA professionals and staff.
“The membership at Oakwood is excited to host some of the best collegiate golfers for the 2026 NJCAA Division I Women’s Championship,” Oakwood Head Golf Professional Eric Drane said in the release. “We are looking to make it a memorable experience for all the golfers that have worked hard to qualify for their biggest tournament of the year.”
Welcome new partners
Joan Kranovich, vice president, business growth & director of Sports QQ, said hosting that pair of women’s golf championships “continues to expand our ever-evolving roster of collegiate sporting events.”
She added “Next May will be a fantastic opportunity for the region as we will welcome our new partners with the NJCAA and continue to host the NAIA with their men’s golf championship. “Both TPC Deere Run and Oakwood Country Club will serve as premier venues for these prestigious events, and we are honored to bring student-athletes from all over to experience the Quad Cities.”
Todd Hajduk is chair of the Sports QC Advisory Group and general manager/director of golf at TPC Deere Run. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golf Championships to TPC Deere Run in 2026 and 2027,” he said. “Hosting top collegiate championship events is always an honor, and we look forward to providing these talented student-athletes with a world-class golf experience.”
Mike Kern, MVC’s senior associate commissioner and chief of staff, said the conference “is elated to bring its Women’s Golf Championship to TPC Deere Run and are excited to partner with Visit Quad Cities in making this a possibility.”
He added “The course is one of the top venues in the Midwest and located in the heart of our Conference; this is quite a coup to be able to conduct our premier women’s golf event there.”
