Contestants are selected based on their competitive record and accomplishments in major events.

The Northeast Amateur is an invitational but the reigning champions from the following events as well as the below-listed Players of the Year as well as Walker Cup Team members are given priority consideration:

A.J.G.A. Player of Year

Azalea Amateur

British Amateur

Canadian Amateur

Dixie Amateur

Dogwood Invitational

English Amateur

European Amateur

GB&I Walker Cup Team

Jones Cup

Mass. G.A. Player of Year

NCAA Div I Championship

New England Amateur

Northeast Amateur Past Champions

North & South Amateur

Pacific Coast Amateur

Players Amateur

Porter Cup

R.I.G.A. Player of Year

R.I.G.A. Stroke Play

R.I.G.A. Amateur

Sahalee Players Championship

Scratch Players Championship

South American Amateur

Southern Amateur

Sunnehanna Amateur

U.S.G.A. Amateur & Runner-up

U.S.G.A. Amateur Public Links

U.S. Challenge Cup Player of Year

U.S.G.A. Junior Amateur

U.S.G.A. Mid-Amateur

U.S.G.A. Walker Cup Team

Western Amateur