The Steam Room by MidamgolfHQ

September 2024

What we are steaming on this month:

August brought us some incredible action in mid-amateur golf. Bobby Massa from Texas led the charge with a deep run at the U.S. Amateur, losing to the eventual champion in the quarterfinals.

We also witnessed impressive finishes from familiar faces at the Picard Cup and other major mid-am events. We'll dive into those highlights later in the newsletter.

Looking ahead to September, it's our Super Bowl—the men's and women's U.S. Mid-Amateur. You'll find a tournament preview below, and with so many of the world’s best players hitting their stride, this year promises some compelling matches. Who’s your pick to win it all?

As always, we hope you enjoy this edition. Cheers!

2024 August Major Mid-Am Tournament Results

The Picard Cup

August 14-16, 2024

Canterbury Golf Club

Champions: Matt Vogt & Kevin O’Brien

The 30th playing of The Picard Cup did not disappoint with a compelling finish down the stretch and a playoff to decide the winners. With 4 teams in the playoff, it features a who’s who of mid-golf. In the end, it took 3 extra holes with Matt Vogt holing a fast 20-footer to take home the title.

The walking-only partner event is played over 54 holes in two days. The format starts with best ball, then alternate shot, and concludes with best ball.

Leaderboard
-8 | Vogt & O’Brien | 67-73-68=208
3 teams tied at -8

Full results HERE

The Valentine Invitational

August 23-25, 2024

Hermitage Country Club

Champion: Christian Brand

Coming off an impressive Round of 16 appearance at the U.S. Amateur, Christian Brand from Hurricane, WV, edged out defending champion Sam Beach from Richmond, VA, by one stroke to claim victory at the 82nd Valentine Invitational, hosted by Hermitage Country Club.

The tournament saw Brand shoot a remarkable 18-under-par 198, with Beach close behind at 17-under 199. Both players thrived under the ideal August weather in Richmond, dominating the Mid-Am field across Hermitage's two challenging courses. Fresh off his Picard Cup win with Kevin O'Brien, Matt Vogt from Indianapolis, IN, made his Valentine debut, securing third place with a 9-under 207 to wrap up an impressive two-week run.

Leaderboard
-18 | Christian Brand | 63-67-68=198
-17 | Sam Beach | 65-65-69=199
-9 | Matt Vogt | 68-68-71=207

Full results HERE

The Mid-Am Team Championship

August 22-24, 2024

Paiute Golf Club

State Champions: Utah

Individual Champion: Steele Dewald

Utah claimed victory at the 2024 Mid-Am Team Championship, held at the Wolf Course at Las Vegas Paiute Resort, finishing two shots ahead of California North. Utah completed the tournament with an even-par total, carding rounds of 220-215-213. California North, which posted scores of 219-216-215, finished at 2-over par, securing second place. Nevada was the only other team to remain competitive, ending in third place with a 5-over total.

In the individual competition, Steele Dewald emerged as the champion with a 5-under total, two shots clear of Mike Perchak, who finished at 3-under in solo second place. Dewald's rounds of 71-69-71 included a bogey on his first hole of the final round, but he played the rest of the round at 2-under to secure the win.

Kenny Palmer took third place with a 1-under total, while Matt Mitchell finished fourth at even par. Jeff Rangel rounded out the top five, finishing at 2-over.

Leaderboard
E | Utah | 648
+2 | Nor Cal | 650
+5 | Nevada | 653

Full results HERE

Up Next

U.S Men’s Mid-Amateur

September 21-26, 2024

Kinloch Golf Club &
Independence Golf Club

Defending Champion: Stewart Hagestad

Stewart Hagestad is set to defend his title and potentially match the legendary Nathan Smith's record of four US Mid-Amateur wins. Smith competes in the field thanks to a special exemption from the USGA. Notable mid-amateurs among the 264 participants include Evan Beck, Stephen Behr, Mark Costanza, Joseph Deraney, Jeronimo Esteve, 2014 champion Scott Harvey, Bobby Massa, and 2022 champion Matthew McClean. This year saw 6,054 entries, just short of last year's record 6,060.

Kinloch Golf Club, slated to host the 2020 Mid-Amateur before the event was canceled, will finally get its chance to shine. Known for its scenic beauty and challenging layout, Kinloch was co-designed by Lester George and Vinny Giles and opened in 2001. The club has previously hosted the 2003 Virginia State Amateur and the 2011 U.S. Senior Amateur. Located just 20 minutes south of Kinloch, Independence Golf Club, the co-host for stroke play was designed by Tom Fazio in 2001 and renovated in 2014 by Lester George. Independence is well-regarded for hosting numerous Virginia State Opens, including two won by Evan Beck.

Our friends over at Amateurgolf.com did an excellent video preview of this year’s Mid-Amateur that can be found here.

Up Next

U.S Women’s Mid-Amateur

September 7-12, 2024

Brae Burn Country Club

Defending Champion: Kimberly Dinh

The 2024 USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at the historic Brae Burn Country Club, where 132 of the world’s top female golfers aged 25 and older will compete for the coveted Mildred Gardiner Prunaret Trophy. This tournament marks a significant return to Brae Burn, a venue with a rich legacy. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross, Brae Burn has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the 1919 U.S. Open won by Walter Hagen, the 1928 U.S. Amateur won by Bob Jones, and three U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships (1906, 1975, 1997).

Defending champion Kimberly Dinh will be among the competitors, aiming to retain her title. Also in the field are top players to watch, including past winners like Kelsey Chugg and Julia Potter-Bobb.

The 2024 championship is the first USGA event at Brae Burn in the 21st century and will serve as a preview for the 2028 U.S. Women’s Amateur. With its classic and challenging layout, Brae Burn is poised to offer a fitting stage for this prestigious event and will surely provide a thrilling competition as players strive to make their mark in history.

Up Next

The Crump Cup

September 12-15, 2024

Pine Valley Golf Club

Defending Champion: Stewart Hagestad

The most elite invitational on the mid-amateur circuit will return this September.

In 2023, Stewart Hagestad concluded a remarkable September with a rain-shortened victory at the Crump Cup. He edged out Stephen Behr, the previous year's champion, in a dramatic one-hole playoff after both players posted 73 in the single-round competition.

Due to Tropical Storm Ophelia approaching southern New Jersey, the Crump Cup Tournament Committee decided to forgo match play, resulting in a shortened event. This was the second consecutive year that weather disruptions affected the tournament; the previous year’s event was also marred by rain, requiring players to be pulled off the course during the final matches.

Looking ahead to 2024, the Crump Cup will once again return to Pine Valley, with hopes for more favorable weather conditions. The tournament will aim to restore its traditional match-play format and provide an uninterrupted and challenging competition for the participants. With a history of resilience and high-level play, the 2024 Crump Cup promises to be an exciting event, featuring a field eager to compete under clearer skies.

Up Next

The Trans-Miss Mid Master

September 9-12, 2024

Brasada Ranch Canyons

Defending Champion: Chris Kamin

In the 2023 Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship, Chris Kamin clinched his second TMGA Mid-Master title with a stellar performance, finishing at 6-under-par 207. Kamin maintained his lead from the second round, ultimately securing a comfortable five-shot victory over Jonathan Minkoff from Glendale, California, who took solo second place. Marc Engellenner from Rocklin, California, who led after the first round, ended in third place with a total score of 2-over-par 215.

Looking ahead to 2024, the Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship is set to return with renewed excitement and anticipation. The tournament will once again feature a competitive field of mid-amateurs eager to challenge Kamin’s title defense. With a history of strong performances and dynamic play, the 2024 championship promises to deliver thrilling golf and showcase the talents of some of the top mid-amateur players in the game.

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

U.S Men’s and Women’s Mid-Ams - September 2024

Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship - September 2024

The Crump Cup - September 2024

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 August 21, 2024:
November 1-3, 2024 | Maridoe Golf Club

1. Evan Beck | 1,343.5
2. Stewart Hagestad | 1,214
3. Scott Harvey | 1,050
4. Joe Deraney | 942.5
5. Jeronimo Esteve | 828.5
6. Stephen Behr | 816
7. Jonathan Bale | 771
8. Nick Maccario | 664.5
9. Will Davenport | 618.5
10. Sam Jackson | 504
10. Bobby Massa | 504
12. Brad Nurski | 501
13. Hayes Brown | 498
14. Brett Patterson | 485
15. Jimmy Ellis | 474
16. Andy Sajevic | 428
17. Chris Wheeler | 427
18. John Sawin | 373
19. Brian Blanchard | 372
20. Scott Turner | 368.5
21. Mark Costanza | 335
22. Drew Kittleson | 330
23. Blake Watts | 328.5
24. Kevin Grady | 318
25. Jimmy Castles | 315
25. Keith Guest | 315

The Ice Bath

With all the content we’re bringing, who needs a cold take section?

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…..