The Steam Room by MidamgolfHQ

October 2024

What we are steaming on this month:

What an incredible September! Congratulations to Evan Beck and Hana Ryskova for their victories in the USGA Mid-Amateur Championships. The competition was fierce, with some of the strongest fields we've seen in recent memory, leading to exciting match play brackets. We'll dive deeper into both events later in the newsletter.

As we move into October, the Stocker Cup and John R. Williams tournaments are on the horizon. Plus, the teams are gearing up for the East-West Cup Matches, promising plenty of drama. Rest assured, we'll have full coverage of all the action. Speaking of the East-West Cup Matches we have updated rankings post the mid-am later in the newsletter.

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2024 September Major Mid-Am Tournament Results

USGA Men’s Mid-Amateur

September 21-26, 2024

Kinloch Golf Club &
Independence Golf Club

Champion: Evan Beck

Evan Beck completed his USGA redemption by winning the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Kinloch Golf Club in dominant fashion, defeating Bobby Massa 9-and-8. Beck, who had been a runner-up twice in past USGA events, became the first Virginian to win the Mid-Am title and earned spots in the 2025 U.S. Open and likely the Masters. His win, characterized by consistent fairway-and-green play, capped off a nearly flawless week where he trailed for only five(!!) holes throughout the championship.

Beck became the first medalist since 2014 to win the U.S. Mid-Amateur, sharing stroke play honors with Segundo Oliva Pinto. He joined an elite group of golfers who claimed the title after a runner-up finish the previous year. His 9-and-8 victory margin was the second largest in the tournament's history. Beck is now ranked 32nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Let's take a moment to appreciate Bobby Massa, who had an outstanding summer that solidified his status as one of the top amateurs in the world. The Dallas-based professional trainer showcased his remarkable distance and finesse around the greens during his semifinal victory over another stud Drew Kittleson, where he shot a breathtaking front-nine 29 with five birdies and an eagle. Having also reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club weeks prior, Massa is certainly a player to watch in 2025

The match play portion featured many high-profile showdowns like Will Davenport versus Stewart Hagestad, and Stephen Behr Jr. against Evan Beck in the semifinals. Veteran Scott Harvey made an impressive run to the quarterfinals, adding to the exciting storylines. There were so many great moments that it's hard to capture them all.

To round things out a big shout out to Kinloch which all the players raved about. The content they provided during the week filled the gap for the lack of TV coverage. Kinloch will be brining a new invitational to life next year in honor of Vinny Giles. More to come on that in future issues.

Leaderboard
Evan Beck defeats Bobby Massa 9&8

Full results HERE

U.S Women’s Mid-Amateur

September 7-12, 2024

Brae Burn Country Club

Champion: Hana Ryskova

Congrats to Hana Rysokva on winning the USGA Women’s Mid-Amatuer! Ryskova is the first golfer from the Czech Republic to win a USGA championship. At 25 years, 10 months, and 1 day, Ryskova is the third-youngest champion of the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. The youngest is Lauren Greenlief, who won the title just 25 days after her 25th birthday in 2015. Greenlief, hailing from Ashburn, Va., reached the semifinals this week but was defeated by Gahm, 2 and 1.

It was Ryskova's day as the 25-year-old maintained her lead from the sixth hole onward, ultimately defeating Gahm 5-and-4. Ryskova showcased her skill by birdieing all three par 5s on the back nine (Nos. 10, 13, and 14). Gahm received support from her husband, Austin Gutgsell, who had flown in from Boston to caddie for her during the final.

Gahm, a golf irrigation sales manager, balances her game with the challenges of motherhood, as she has a 5-month-old son, Wyatt, with her husband Gutgsell, who qualified for the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

In addition to receiving the Mildred Gardinor Prunaret Trophy, named after a former Brae Burn Country Club member who captained the USA Curtis Cup Team in 1960, Ryskova has earned exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs, the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateurs, and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

Leaderboard
Hana Rysokva defeats Lindsay Gahm 5&4

Full results HERE

The Crump Cup

September 12-15, 2024

Pine Valley Golf Club

Champion: Andrew Price

Likely the most coveted title in mid-am golf outside of the USGA Mid-Am is the Crump Cup. Congrats to Andrew Price on capturing the title this year. Making it to the match play of the Crump Cup means facing the most elite field of the year, and Andrew Price certainly encountered some heavyweights at Pine Valley Golf Club. After winning the 2024 Illinois Mid-Amateur, Price defeated the now 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur winner Evan Beck in the round of 16. He then overcame 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Matthew McClean in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he beat medalist Bradford Tilley and capped off his victory by besting 2024 U.S. Amateur medalist Jimmy Ellis in the final, winning 2 and 1.

Leaderboard
Andrew Price defeats Jimmy Ellis 2&1

Full results HERE

The Trans-Miss Mid Master

September 9-12, 2024

Brasada Ranch Canyons

Champion: Paul Mitzel

Paul Mitzel from Gig Harbor, WA, clinched victory at the Trans Miss Mid-Amateur after an impressive opening round of 65 (-7). He continued strong, finishing at 11-under-par (205), four shots ahead of Forbes Collins. Collins briefly closed the gap in the final round but faltered with a double bogey on the 13th hole. Mitzel, staying composed, birdied three of his last nine holes to secure the win. Harrison Moir, of Portland, OR, finished third at 5-under-par. The tournament was held at the well-received Brasada Ranch Canyons Golf Club.

Leaderboard
-11 | Paul Mitzel | 65-71-69=205
-7 | Forbes Collins | 70-70-69=209

Full results HERE

Up Next

Stocker Cup

October 17-19, 2024

The Preserve Golf Club

Defending Champion: Colby Harwell

The Stocker Cup will return to one of the most beautiful venues mid-ams get to see all year at The Preserve. The Stocker Cup, established in 1991, commemorates Peter Stocker, co-founder of San Francisco's Pacific Union Company. Originally played at Pebble Beach, the event now takes place at The Preserve Golf Club in Carmel, designed by Tom Fazio and Sandy Tatum. The course, set in the stunning 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve, is ranked in the top 100. The tournament features a 54-hole individual competition alongside a best-ball event, where Mid-Amateur players can pair with single-digit amateurs. Stocker, a passionate golfer, inspired the creation of this prestigious event.

Colby Harwell the decorated mid-amateur from Texas will be defending his 2023 title. The event always features an exciting finish and we expect this year will offer up much of the same!

Up Next

The John R. Williams

October 3-5, 2024

Oak Hill Country Club

Defending Champions: Garrett Rank & Simon McInnis

The prestigious John R Williams 4ball will return this October to Oak Hill in Rochester, NY. Last year Garrett Rank and Simon McInnis took home the title.

American players may have swept the podium at the recent Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship, but the Canadians of Rank and McInnis took home a significant victory at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY. Garrett Rank, an NHL referee from Elmira, Ontario, and his partner Simon McInnis of Crystal Beach, Ontario, captured the prestigious title with rounds of 67, 65, and 65, finishing 13-under 197. It was their third Williams title, having previously won in 2015 and 2018.

2024 “Major” Mid-Am Event Schedule

Gasparilla Invitational - February 2024 - Charles Fitzsimmons

The Snedeker Memorial - March 2024 - Jordan Russell

George Coleman Invitational - April 2024 - Evan Beck

The Walter J. Travis Invitational - May 2024 - Ben Greve

John T. Lupton Memorial - May 2024 - Joe Deraney

USGA 4-Ball - May 2024 - Brian Blanchard & Sam Engel

The Huddleston Cup - June 2024 - Scott Harvey

Anderson Memorial 4-ball - June 2024 - Jim Chestnut & Scott Strickland

Carlton Woods Invitational - June 2024 - Shane Heise

George C Thomas Invitational - June 2024 - Evan Beck

Mid-Am Team Championship - August 2024 - Utah & Steele Dewald

The Picard Cup - August 2024 - Matt Vogt & Kevin O’Brien

The Valentine Invitational - August 2024 - Christian Brand

USGA Men’s Mid-Am - September 2024 - Evan Beck

USGA Women’s Mid-Am - September 2024 - Hana Ryskova

Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship - September 2024 - Paul Mitzel

The Crump Cup - September 2024 - Andrew Price

John R. Williams 4-ball - October 2024

Stocker Cup - October 2024

The East-West Cup Matches - November 2024

Devils Elbow - November 2024

National Invitational Tournament - November 2024

The Road to Maridoe & The East-West Cup

East-West Matches Standings updated as of September 26, 2024:
November 1-3, 2024 | Maridoe Golf Club

1. Evan Beck | 1,884.5
2. Stewart Hagestad | 1,484
3. Scott Harvey | 1,300.5
4. Stephen Behr | 1,204
5. Will Davenport | 947
6. Joe Deraney | 942.5
7. Bobby Massa | 854
8. Jeronimo Esteve | 828.5
9. Jonathan Bale | 771
10. Sam Jackson | 754
11. Drew Kittleson | 718
12. Jimmy Ellis | 674
13. Nick Maccario | 664.5
14. Hayes Brown | 574
15. Brian Blanchard | 567
16. Chris Wheeler | 527
17. Brad Nurski | 501
18. Brett Patterson | 485
19. Mark Costanza | 457
20. Derek Busby | 451.5
21. Brad Tilley | 450
22. Parker Edens | 447
23. Andy Sajevic | 428
24. John Sawin | 373
25. Scott Turner | 368.5

The Ice Bath

In recent weeks, our Instagram DMs have been buzzing with messages about the lack of TV coverage for the USGA Mid-Amateurs. Mid-am fans are eager to see these events broadcast, and we believe this is a missed opportunity for the USGA. The compelling matches offer plenty of drama and excitement, making them perfect for television. Even a nightly highlight reel would engage viewers and help promote the tournament. The storytelling potential and competitive nature of these matches are exactly what golf enthusiasts crave.

It would be a nice refresh from the usual alternate field PGA tour event + LIV Golf circus that the networks feed us on a weekly basis. Anyway, if you are reading this and can make some magic happen with the TV networks we would love to see it happen!

We love to feature our passionate mid-am golf community. If you have a story, achievement, or event you'd like to share, send us a DM on our Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) @midamgolfHQ

Until next month…..