The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ Vol 29
The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ
April 2026
What we are steaming on this month:
March did not disappoint as we reach the quarter-way point of the season. The Snedeker Memorial and Champions Cup set the tone in a big way, delivering stacked fields, pristine conditions, and epic finishes. It’s another reminder that the margin at the top of mid-am golf continues to shrink, and every event feels like a major. Now, the calendar takes a pause in April before a very busy May ahead. We went ahead and provided a preview of the May events as everyone gets ready for the sprint into the summer! We also have updated East/West rankings as we track who will qualify headed into Maridoe this fall.
We did want to make a few small notes. The Lupton which is a staple of the mid-am schedule has been paused this year due to the club hosting a USGA Championship. We look forward to the event returning in 2027. Next, both The Ewing Cup and The Picard Cup have applications open so make sure and click the links for more info on how to apply to play. We should also add that we had the very first edition of The Tabby played in March. This is a new team event which pairs a team of a mid-am + senior in a better ball format. It should be a fun one to track in future years.
Finally we continue to feature our “Worth the Detour” section which is the brain child of midamgolfHQ + Holderness & Bourne. We hope you are enjoying the content as we think its a fresh take on some unique courses that should be on every mid-ams travel list!
2026 March Major Mid-Am Tournament Results
The Snedeker Memorial
March 13-15, 2026
Champion: Brett Patterson
The 2026 Snedeker Memorial delivered exactly what you want from an early-season marquee mid-am event…….a stacked field, a demanding test, and a finish that came down to the wire. Hosted at The Lakewood Club in Point Clear, Alabama, the event once again showcased why it has become a staple on the calendar. The Perry Maxwell design required precision and patience throughout the week, with firm, fast greens and tree-lined corridors putting a premium on shot-making. Players who stayed disciplined were rewarded, while even small mistakes were quickly exposed.
At the center of it all was Brett Patterson, who arrived with clear intent and executed when it mattered most. Locked in a tight final-round battle, Patterson leaned on steady ball-striking and clutch putting to force a playoff, where he ultimately sealed the victory with a decisive putt over Bobby Wyatt. It marked a breakthrough win for Patterson and a performance defined by composure under pressure. On the team side, Vince Cave and Bobby Wyatt put together an impressive 10-under performance over 54 holes to capture the title, holding off a deep and competitive field in a format that continues to highlight both individual and team excellence.
Beyond the competition, the Snedeker Memorial once again separated itself with the full experience. The Grand Hotel provided a first-class backdrop for players and families, reinforcing the event’s reputation for elite hospitality and community. Combined with pristine course conditions and a strong field, the 2026 edition further cemented the tournament’s place as one of the premier stops in mid-amateur golf. With dramatic finishes and a setting that keeps players coming back, the Snedeker Memorial continues to build momentum as a must-play event year after year. Cheers to everyone involved!
Leaderboard-7 | Brett Patterson |72-69-68=209 *-7 | Bobby Wyatt | 70-71-68=209-6 | Winburne Hughes | 68-69-73=210
Full results HERE
The Champions Cup
March 26-29, 2026
Champions: Josh Gibbons & Kade Stewart
The 58th Champions Cup Invitational rounded out March at Champions Golf Club in Houston — one of the most hallowed grounds in American amateur golf. Founded in 1957 by major champions Jack Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret, the club has hosted the 1967 Ryder Cup, the 1969 U.S. Open, the 1993 U.S. Amateur, and the 2020 U.S. Women's Open, making it one of the most decorated venues in the country. The Champions Cup Invitational itself dates back to 1961 and has long been regarded as one of the premier two-man best-ball amateur events in the nation.
This year's champion squad left no doubt. Josh Gibbons and Kade Stewart put together one of the more dominant performances in recent memory, carding rounds of 68-63-67-65 for a 21-under par total of 263 which was good enough for a convincing three-shot victory. Their second-round 63 was the round of the tournament and the kind of number that rattles the rest of the field. Tied for second at 18-under (266) were the teams of Marcus Jones & Brad Mason and Will Griffin & Wesley McClain, while Josh Lampley & Ben Snow and Charlie Holland & Jordan Russell rounded out the top five at 17-under (267).
Leaderboard-21 | Gibbons & Stewart |68-63-67-65=263-18 | two teams tied
Full results HERE
Up Next
The Giles Invitational
May 1-3, 2026
Defending Champion: Andrew Bailey
The Giles Invitational returns in 2026 with serious momentum after a standout inaugural year that immediately put it on the map in mid-amateur golf. Hosted at Kinloch Golf Club in Virginia, the event honors amateur legend Vinny Giles and is played on the course he co-designed, a setting that blends championship pedigree with a deep respect for the game’s history. After earning rave reviews in year one, expectations are elevated across the board, with a stronger field and even more attention as the tournament continues its rapid rise toward “must-play” status.
The inaugural edition set a high bar. Andrew Bailey claimed the first title at 9-under par, closing with a final-round 67 after an aggressive start that vaulted him into contention early. The field itself was loaded, featuring top mid-amateurs and proven winners, signaling right away that this wasn’t just another new event but rather it was built to attract elite talent. With Bailey returning as defending champion, the story line writes itself: can he go back-to-back, or will an even deeper field produce a new champion?
Up Next
The Jupiter Invitational
May 7-9, 2026
Defending Champion: New Event
The 2026 Jupiter Invitational arrives as one of the most exciting new additions to the mid-amateur calendar, bringing a fresh, high-end event to one of the game’s most talent-rich regions. Set at Jonathan’s Landing in Jupiter, Florida, the tournament will feature a select field of elite mid-am and senior players competing on the Gil Hanse designed Match Course — a layout known for its strategic design and emphasis on shot-making. Positioned in May, it lands right in the heart of the spring season and has the early feel of an event aiming to establish itself quickly among the top invitationals in the country.
What stands out immediately is the intention behind the event. This is not a large-field, open-style tournament — it’s curated, competitive, and built around quality of field and experience. With a limited roster and a venue that rewards creativity and precision, the Jupiter Invitational should produce a leaderboard filled with recognizable names and high-level play. Combine that with the South Florida setting and the buzz surrounding its debut, and this feels like a tournament that could rise quickly — one players begin circling as a premier stop on the mid-am schedule.
Up Next
The Walter J. Travis Invitational
May 15-17, 2026
Defending Champion: Chris DeJohn
The Walter Travis Invitational returns in 2026 as one of the most prestigious and unique tests in mid-amateur golf, once again hosted at the iconic Garden City Golf Club. Known for its firm conditions, strategic bunkering, and emphasis on creativity, Garden City provides a classic match-play stage where patience and precision are paramount. The format itself which is a blend of stroke play qualifying followed by match play consistently delivers drama, rewarding players who can adapt quickly and elevate their game under pressure.
All eyes will be on Chris DeJohn, who captured the title in dominant fashion last year with a 4 & 3 victory over John Hunter. A past champion in 2023 as well, DeJohn has firmly established himself as one of the most consistent and dangerous players in the field, particularly in match play where his steady style thrives. With a strong amateur résumé that includes elite-level victories and deep runs in major events, he enters 2026 as the player to beat. But as history has shown at Garden City, no lead is ever safe and no match is routine setting the stage for another compelling week at one of golf’s most revered tournaments amateur or pro.
Up Next
The Huddleston Cup
May 15-17, 2026
Defending Champion: Bobby Massa
The Huddleston Cup returns in 2026 as one of the most demanding and exclusive tests in mid-amateur golf, once again hosted at Maridoe Golf Club just outside Dallas. Known for its sheer length and difficulty, Maridoe stretches to nearly 7,900 yards with a daunting course rating and slope, creating a true championship environment where only the most complete players can contend. The format — 54 holes of stroke play — keeps the pressure constant from the opening tee shot, with no room to ease into the tournament. As an invite-only event featuring a small, elite field, the Huddleston Cup has quickly built a reputation as one of the purest competitive tests on the calendar.
All eyes will be on defending champion Bobby Massa, who delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent memory last year, cruising to a nine-shot victory over Steele Dewald. That kind of margin at Maridoe is almost unheard of and speaks to just how dialed-in Massa was across all three rounds. He returns in 2026 as the clear player to beat, but with a stacked field of elite mid-amateurs and a course that punishes even the slightest mistake, nothing will come easy. If history is any indication, the Huddleston Cup will once again demand elite ball-striking, mental toughness, and endurance……the exact traits that define the best in mid-am golf.
2026 “Major” Mid-Am Event Final Results
The Tree Farm Invitational - January 2026 - Rescheduled
The Gasparilla Invitational - February 2026 - Hayes Brown
The Snedeker Memorial - March 2026 - Brett Patterson
Champions Cup Four-Ball - March 2026 - Stewart & Gibbons
The Giles Invitational - May 2026
The Jupiter Invitational - May 2026
The Walter J. Travis Invitational - May 2026
The Huddleston Cup - May 2026
C.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament - June 2026
Anderson Memorial Four-Ball - June 2026
George C Thomas Invitational - June 2026
European Men’s Mid-Amateur - June 2026
Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur - August 2026
The Picard Cup - August 2026
The Valentine Invitational - August 2026
USGA Women’s Mid-Am - September 2026
Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship - September 2026
The Farrell - September 2026
The Crump Cup - September 2026
USGA Men’s Mid-Am - October 2026
The Stocker Cup - October 2026
John R. Williams Four-Ball - October 2026
The Berkeley Cup - October 2026
Carlton Woods Invitational - October 2026
National Invitational Tournament - November 2026
Ewing Cup Four-Ball - November 2026
East West Matches
Mid-Am Standings
As of March 27, 2026
Christian Cavaliere | East | 897.00
Bobby Massa | West | 792.18
Andrew Bailey | East | 649.00
Brandon Holtz | East | 475.00
Evan Beck | East | 462.50
Drew Kittleson | West | 400.00
Chris Wheeler | West | 398.00
Ben Reeves | East | 368.60
Will Davenport | East | 362.10
Ryan Terry | 360.00
Jeg Coughlin | 350.00
Christian Brand | East | 338.50
Johnny Spellerberg | 333.68
Joe Deraney | East | 331.25
Michael Buttacavoli | East | 322.50
Parker Edens | West | 321.5
Hayes Brown | East | 317.00
Stewart Hagestad | East | 317.00
Bobby Wyatt | East | 300.00
Steele Dewald | 292.50
Marc Dull | East | 286.50
Dan Walters | East | 274.00
Brad Nurski | West | 273.00
Andrew Price | East | 270.00
Tucker Jenkins | 268.50
Worth the Detour
Darmor Club opened on June 1, 2024, and it's already turning heads across the Lone Star State. The brainchild of PGA Tour legend Hal Sutton and a business partner, Darmor sits on the rolling countryside of Columbus, Texas which is about an hour west of Houston. The club draws its design inspiration straight from the golden age of golf architecture, specifically the revered template-hole philosophies of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. What makes Darmor immediately special is that Sutton didn't just slap his name on a project and call it a day. He was in the dirt with the shaping crew alongside construction lead Doug Wright, and that hands-on obsession shows in every contour, every green complex, and every devilishly well-placed bunker.
The course itself is a glorious mashup of things that have no business working together and yet somehow work perfectly. A rugged stretch of south-central Texas outlands, routed through an old sand and gravel quarry with century-old oak trees lining the Colorado River, plays host to holes inspired by some of the greatest designs on earth. You'll find a Biarritz-style 7th, a "Dell" par 3 channeling the magic of Lahinch, a Road Hole homage at 17 that tips its cap to St. Andrews, and plenty of blind shots that will either delight or infuriate you — probably both. Stretching 7,241 yards from the tips with a 75.7 rating and a slope of 140, this is a course that demands real shot-making and rewards players who actually think.
What truly elevates Darmor into a category of its own is how alive it feels round to round. Fully exposed to the Texas elements, wind and pin positions can transform the entire personality of the course from one day to the next, keeping even repeat visitors on their toes. The TifEagle greens run fast, the TifTuf fairways are generous enough to give you a chance but not enough to bail you out, and the clubhouse atmosphere conjures something closer to Scotland or Cypress Point than anything you'd expect to find off Highway 71. Early visitors are already calling it a top-ten course in Texas — and with Hal Sutton still roaming the property most days, the passion behind this place isn't going anywhere.
The golf shop is the perfect amount of functional and quant. Of course make sure to load up on H&B gear while youre on property! Cheers to more golden age architecture!
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Until next month…..