The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ

January 2026

What we are steaming on this month:

Happy New Year! If you follow our Instagram or X account, you may have noticed our new logo and parent brand, nichegolfHQ. nichegolfHQ will serve as the umbrella brand for juniorgolfHQ, midamgolfHQ, and seniorgolfHQ, bringing all of our platforms together under one identity. Nothing is changing with the content or experience you enjoy here. We encourage everyone to follow our new brands and show them the same support you’ve shown us. For those that care we will share more in the Ice Bath section below.

It’s hard to believe that the 2025 mid-am season is already in the rearview mirror. December delivered a welcome pause on the competitive calendar, with no major tournaments on the schedule. That brief lull gave us a chance to catch our breath. Even so, there is still plenty to unpack from the year that was 2025, and we’ll be taking a comprehensive look back at the season’s biggest themes, results, and takeaways.

Looking ahead, 2026 kicks off at a much faster pace than in years past. A new addition to the calendar, the Tree Farm Invitational, makes its debut in January and immediately reshapes the early-season landscape. Historically, the Gasparilla served as the traditional season opener, but the Tree Farm Invitational now claims that January spotlight, offering top competitors the chance to test themselves right out of the gates.

The event also brings a fresh twist with its unique Stableford format, encouraging aggressive play and creating a different competitive dynamic than we typically see to start the year. Below, we’ll preview the tournament, break down the format, and explore what this new kickoff event could mean for the rest of the 2026 season.

As always, this month’s issue is brought to you by Forme. If you do decide to buy anything from them (we continue to love the socks!), please use our code MIDAMHQ at checkout for a 15% discount. We appreciate their support, and you will see their performance section later in the newsletter!

Thanks, as always, for the support. Now onto the newsletter!

2025 Major Mid-Am Recap

The 2025 mid-amateur golf season proved to be one of the most competitive and compelling years in recent memory, defined by deep fields, iconic venues, and consistent excellence at the top of the game. The year opened in February at the Gasparilla Invitational at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club, where Scott Turner set an early tone with a polished victory against a strong field. From the outset, it was clear that 2025 would reward both sustained performance and the ability to peak on golf’s biggest amateur stages.

Spring delivered a steady run of marquee events and notable winners. March saw Nate Smith capture the Snedeker Memorial, while April featured an exciting Champions Cup Four-Ball victory by Will Davenport and Nick Maccario. May quickly became one of the busiest and most competitive stretches of the calendar, highlighted by Andrew Bailey’s win at the Giles Invitational, Chris DeJohn’s victory at the Walter J. Travis Invitational, and Ben Reeves claiming the John T. Lupton Memorial. Bobby Massa added his name to the season’s winner list at the Huddleston Cup, rounding out a month that showcased both veteran poise and emerging contenders.

The summer stretch elevated the level of play even further. Will Davenport emerged victorious at The Sanger Invitational, a rare and prestigious championship held only once every four years, cementing one of the season’s most meaningful wins. Stewart Hagestad continued to reinforce his standing as one of the most accomplished amateurs in the world with a victory at the C.B. Macdonald Invitational, maintaining his position near the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking throughout the year. Additional summer highlights included Jim Chestnut and Scott Strickland winning the Anderson Memorial Four-Ball, Robert Gwin at the Carlton Woods Invitational, and Drew Kittleson capturing the George C. Thomas Invitational, underscoring the national depth of the mid-am game. Rounding out the summer was Nicholas Fiore and Brian Joseph teaming up to win the Picard Cup, while John Hunter claimed the Valentine Invitational.

The defining moment of the season came at the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships. On the men’s side at Troon Country Club, where Brandon Holtz delivered a dominant match-play performance to claim the national title. His victory not only capped an outstanding season but also elevated him onto the biggest amateur stage heading into 2026. The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship brought together the strongest women mid-amateurs in the country, with qualifying fields that reflected both the depth and geographic reach of the game. At the center of it all was Ina Kim-Schaad, who captured the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur title with a composed and commanding run through match play. Her victory was a testament to consistency, competitive toughness, and the ability to close under pressure on the game’s biggest stage.

The year closed with continued excellence from familiar names, including Matt Parziale and Nick Maccario successfully defending their John R. Williams Four-Ball title, along with late-season wins from players such as Parker Sisk and Ryan Terry.

As the season concludes, the midamgolfHQ Player of the Year conversation is as strong and competitive as the fields themselves. Brandon Holtz, Will Davenport, Stewart Hagestad, Christian Cavaliere, and Nick Maccario once again demonstrated consistency and big-event performance and clutch play. We turn it over the audience to decide who do you think should be crowned the 2025 player of the year?

Up Next

The Tree Farm Invitational

January 26-27, 2026

Defending Champion: New Event

What a phenomenal way to kick off the 2026 season! This 36-hole Stableford tournament will be a special few days of golf, camaraderie, and time well spent for players at The Tree Farm in Batesburg, SC. Set against the quiet beauty of South Carolina’s countryside, the Tree Farm Golf Club offers a pure golf experience with thoughtfully designed holes, natural landscapes, and conditions that reward creativity and confident shot-making. With the Stableford format encouraging aggressive play and rewarding momentum, the inaugural event promises competitive balance and plenty of scoring opportunities for players of all styles.

Beyond the competition, the Tree Farm Invitational is about building tradition from the ground up. From relaxed rounds and shared meals to post-golf conversations and lasting memories, the event is designed to feel as welcoming as it is competitive. As the inaugural edition, this tournament sets the tone for what we hope will become a cherished annual gathering - one defined by great golf, great people, and the simple enjoyment of spending time together at a special place

Forme Performance and Recovery

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2025 “Major” Mid-Am Event Final Results

Gasparilla Invitational - February 2025 - Scott Turner

The Snedeker Memorial - March 2025 - Nate Smith

Champions Cup Four-Ball - April 2025 - Will Davenport & Nick Maccario

The Giles Invitational - May 2025 - Andrew Bailey

The Walter J. Travis Invitational - May 2025 - Chris DeJohn

John T. Lupton Memorial - May 2025 - Ben Reeves

The Huddleston Cup - May 2025 - Bobby Massa

The Sanger Invitational - June 2025 - Will Davenport

C.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament - June 2025 - Stew Hagestad

Anderson Memorial Four-Ball - June 2025 - Jim Chestnut & Scott Strickland

Carlton Woods Invitational - June 2025 - Robert Gwin

George C Thomas Invitational - June 2025 - Drew Kittleson

The Picard Cup - August 2025 - Nicholas Fiore and Brian Joseph

The Valentine Invitational - August 2025 - John Hunter

USGA Men’s Mid-Am - September 2025 - Brandon Holtz

Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship - September 2025 - Ryan Burgess

The Farrell - September 2025 - Johnny Spellerberg & Lauren Greenlief

The Crump Cup - September 2025 - Bobby Wyatt

USGA Women’s Mid-Am - October 2025 - Ina Kim-Schaad

The Stocker Cup - October 2025 - Parker Sisk

John R. Williams Four-Ball - October 2025 - Matt Parziale & Nick Maccario

The Berkeley Cup - October 2025 - Elliott Grayson

National Invitational Tournament - November 2025 - Ryan Terry

Ewing Cup Four-Ball - November 2025 - Charlie Holland & James Minahan

The Ice Bath

Golf as a sport is deeper and more diverse than what typically makes headlines, yet some of the most meaningful competition and growth in the game happens outside the mainstream spotlight. Junior, mid-amateur, and senior golf are filled with elite players, compelling storylines, and events that matter deeply to the people competing in them. I believe these spaces deserve coverage that feels authentic and tells the story of the players, events, and host venues.

These niche areas are where the game is built and sustained. Junior golf is the pipeline of future champions. Mid-amateur golf represents the heartbeat of competitive golf with players balancing careers, families, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Senior golf showcases longevity, passion, and a deep love for competition that doesn’t fade with age. Yet too often, the biggest tournaments, performances, and moments in these categories go uncovered or under-covered, leaving players without a true home for the stories that matter to them.

That’s why I created nichegolfHQ. By bringing juniorgolfHQ, midamgolfHQ, and seniorgolfHQ together under one umbrella, I am making a bet on deeper, more intentional coverage of the events and communities that keep the game thriving. The goal is simple: elevate these segments with thoughtful reporting, timely results, and storytelling that reflects how important they truly are. For those who care about the future—and the full spectrum—of competitive golf, this is just the beginning.

I have two incredible people (Benjamin Knott & Scott Travers) helping to build out these brands along with me. I hope you will support these new channels in 2026 and thank you for reading!

Jonathan (founder nichegolfHQ)

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…..