The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ Vol 32
The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ
July 2026
What we are steaming on this month:
Welcome to Volume 32!
June somehow managed to raise the bar yet again. As the calendar turned toward summer, the mid-amateur season delivered another month packed with elite championships, breakthrough performances, and the kind of depth that continues to make this one of the most competitive eras the game has seen. Across all the major invitationals players continued to build momentum while making it increasingly difficult to separate the game's established stars from its emerging contenders. Every week seemed to produce another champion worthy of national recognition, reinforcing just how strong the mid-am landscape has become.
We may need to send Jero Esteve the iron man trophy for his June schedule which included the Anderson Memorial immediately followed by US Open Sections leading straight into the CB Macdonald. That’s a lot of walking! Additionally we had Brandon Holtz carrying the mid-am flag at the US Open. Congrats to Brandon and good luck to him the rest of the summer!
We finally want to thank the brands that continue to support this newsletter including Holderness & Bourne with our “Worth the Detour” section! We also have another partner this month again with TourIQ Golf. Their app includes one of the best features we’ve seen called Course Planning where players can overlay their personal shot dispersion directly onto any course virtually to help prep for big events. We’ve partner with them to offer a free month to our readers so go check it out HERE!
2026 June Major Mid-Am
Tournament Results
European Mid-Amateur Men’s Championship
June 4-6, 2026
Champion: Pierre Tillement
The European Mid-Amateur Men's Championship at Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club in Portugal delivered a dramatic finish, with France's Pierre Tillement capturing the title on the second playoff hole over Finland's Keijo Jaakola. Tillement opened the championship with a 73 before moving into contention with a second-round 69. He closed with a composed 2-under-par 70 to post a three-day total of 212 (-4). Jaakola mounted a remarkable charge on the final day, firing the low round of the championship, a brilliant 5-under 67, to erase a five-shot deficit and force extra holes. After both players finished regulation tied at 4-under par, Tillement emerged victorious on the second playoff hole to claim the European crown.
The championship featured a tightly packed leaderboard throughout the week. Austria's Markus Habeler finished alone in third at even-par 216 after opening with the tournament's low first-round score of 68. Four players shared fourth place at 1-over par 217, including Christophe De Grancey of France, Sweden's Rickard Jönsson, Germany's Daniel Schmieding, and Hampus Wijkstrom of Sweden. Just six shots separated the champion from a group of players tied for eighth, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the international field.
Quinta do Peru proved to be a stern but fair test, with only two players finishing under par for the championship. The demanding Portuguese layout rewarded consistency and patience, while the final round produced several notable performances. Along with Jaakola's championship-best 67, Ben Phipps of England, Michael Højer of Denmark, and Christopher Steger of Germany all posted closing rounds of 70 to climb the leaderboard. In the end, however, it was Tillement who held his nerve when it mattered most, surviving a thrilling playoff to become the 2026 European Mid-Amateur Men's Champion.
Leaderboard
-4 | Pierre Tillement | 73-69-70=212-4 | Keijo Jaakola | 73-72-67=212E | Markus Habeler | 68-72-72=216Anderson Memorial Four-Ball
June 4-7, 2026
Champions: Mark Costanza & Jeronimo Esteve
The Anderson Memorial Four-Ball at Winged Foot Golf Club once again attracted one of the strongest fields in amateur golf, with teams battling through 36 holes of qualifying on the club's famed West and East Courses. Anthony Goldstein and Chris Buttacavoli of La Gorce Country Club earned medalist honors after posting a superb 8-under par total of 132, highlighted by matching rounds of 66. Three teams shared second place at 7-under 133, including Winged Foot's own Tim Hegarty and Ben Loomis, Hayes Brown and Bobby Wyatt of Capital City Club, and Max Buckley and Tobin Whitman of Westchester Country Club. The cut for the 16-team match play bracket proved especially demanding, requiring a playoff at 2-under par as Christian Cavaliere and Matt Minerva Jr. claimed the final spot.
Once match play began, several lower-seeded teams made impressive runs through the bracket. Sixteenth-seeded Cavaliere and Minerva Jr. continued their momentum from the playoff, upsetting top-seeded Goldstein and Buttacavoli (1 Up) before knocking off eighth-seeded Albers and McGhee (3&2). Fifth-seeded Sigler and Cassini advanced with victories over Day and Huntley and Hegarty and Loomis, while seventh-seeded Costanza and Esteve defeated Meinhart and Maxwell before dispatching second-seeded Buckley and Whitman (2&1). Third-seeded Brown and Wyatt also impressed, cruising past Boardman and Robinson and then defeating Colquitt and Lape (4&3) to reach the semifinals.
The semifinal round produced more drama as Cavaliere and Minerva Jr.'s Cinderella run continued with a 3&2 victory over Sigler and Cassini. On the opposite side of the bracket, Costanza and Esteve edged Brown and Wyatt after 22 holes to secure their place in the championship match. The final featured two teams that had navigated a gauntlet of elite competition, capping another memorable edition of the Anderson Memorial Four-Ball with Mark Costanza and Jeronimo Esteve coming on top with a 3&2 victory
Leaderboard
Finals:Costanza & Esteve 3&2 over Cavaliere & Minerva Jr.Semifinals:
Costanza & Esteve 22 Holes over Brown & WyattCavaliere & Minerva Jr. 3&2 over Sigler & CassiniC.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament
June 12-14, 2026
Champion: Stewart Hagestad
The CB Macdonald Invitational at National Golf Links of America opened with a tightly packed qualifying round that set the tone for the week on the historic course. Stewart Hagestad set the standard early, firing a brilliant 65 to finish at 7-under and secure the top seed heading into match play. Behind him, a deep group of contenders, including Jeronimo Esteve and Bobby Leopold who fired 68s, and a cluster posting qualifying scores of 69 and 70, ensured that match play brackets would be filled with players in strong form and minimal separation across the board.
Match play quickly brought out the nuances of National Golf Links, with several early rounds producing tight finishes and a few decisive blowouts. Hagestad opened with a narrow win before finding another gear in the quarterfinals, while Esteve needed extra holes in a tense early matchup before settling into a steadier rhythm. Leopold also advanced convincingly through his side of the bracket, highlighted by a dominant 6&5 victory, as the top seeds largely asserted themselves into the weekend rounds.
The semifinals tightened into elite-level battles, with Hagestad defeating Sean Barrett 2&1 to continue his controlled march through the field. On the other side, Esteve handled Leopold 2&1 to set up a marquee championship match between two elite mid-amateur golfers.
The championship match delivered a fitting conclusion, with Hagestad ultimately prevailing 3&1 over Esteve to capture the CB Macdonald Invitational title. The final was competitive throughout, but Hagestad’s consistency in key moments proved decisive as he closed out the match on the inward nine. At National Golf Links of America, a course that rewards imagination and discipline in equal measure, Hagestad’s week-long blend of control and composure separated him from a deep and talented field.
Its also worth noting the event has multiple flights outside of the championship flight. Across the consolation flights, Jimmy Chestnut took the second flight, Matthew Naumec won the third, Xavier Dailly claimed the fourth, Patrick Christovich won the fifth, John Torell V took the sixth, Jonathan Keane won the seventh, and Jack McBride captured the eighth.
Leaderboard
Finals:Hagestad 3&1 over EsteveSemifinals:Hagestad 2&1 over BarrettEsteve 2&1 over LeopoldGeorge C Thomas Invitational
June 25-27, 2026
Champion: Andrew Price
The George C. Thomas Invitational at Los Angeles Country Club's famed North Course delivered a thrilling finish, with Andrew Price of Conway Farms Golf Club claiming the title after a superb closing round of 69. Price opened the championship with rounds of 74 and 71, positioning himself firmly in contention heading into the final day. On Saturday, he rose to the occasion, carding a front nine of 34 before adding a steady inward 35, capped with a birdie on 17 from the bunker and a clutch par putt at the last to finish at 3-over-par 214, securing the championship by a single stroke. Price's final-round won’t soon be forgotten on one of the country's most demanding championship venues.
Christian Cavaliere of Hudson National Golf Club mounted a strong challenge, matching Price with a final-round 69 to finish alone in second at 4-over-par 215. Charlie Holland of Lakewood Country Club also closed with a 69, the low round of the day, to claim third at 6-over 217 after beginning the final round four shots off the pace. Nick Geyer finished solo fourth at 8-over 219, while a five-way tie for fifth at 9-over 220 featured Mark Costanza, Michael Buttacavoli, local favorite Jon Shaw, Will Davenport, and first-round co-leader Jack Barber.
The championship once again highlighted the U.S. Open-worthy challenge presented by Los Angeles Country Club's North Course. Only three players managed to break 70 during the final round, and just two competitors finished the week within shouting distance of par. The leaderboard remained tightly packed throughout the championship, with only six shots separating first place from tenth.
Leaderboard
+3 | Andrew Price | 74-71-69=214+4 | Christian Cavaliere | 73-73-69=215+6 | Charlie Holland | 72-76-69=217
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Up Next
The schedule is taking a pause in July! We will be back in August with a full preview.
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 - Brett Patterson
The Jupiter Invitational - May 2026 - Jon Weiss
The Walter J. Travis Invitational - May 2026 - Chris DeJohn
The Huddleston Cup - May 2026 - Bobby Massa
European Men’s Mid-Amateur - June 2026 - Pierre Tillement
Anderson Memorial Four-Ball - June 2026 - Costanza & Esteve
C.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament - June 2026 - Stewart Hagestad
George C Thomas Invitational - June 2026 - Andrew Price
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 Crump Cup - September 2026
USGA Men’s Mid-Am - October 2026
The Farrell - 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 June 28, 2026
Bobby Massa | West | 1144.68
Christian Cavaliere | East | 979.50
Andrew Bailey | East | 649.00
Evan Beck | 602.00
Brett Patterson | 525.00
Chris Wheeler | 518.00
Bobby Wyatt | East | 495.00
Brandon Holtz | East | 475.00
Drew Kittleson | 457.00
Nate Smith | 454.00
Ryan Terry | 442.50
Johnny Spellerberg | 441.68
Will Davenport | 421.35
Chrisian Brand | 421.00
Ben Reeves | East | 414.60
Stephen Behr | East | 402.49
Parker Edens | West | 382.49
Dan Walters | 382.00
Jeg Coughlin | 350.00
Brad Nurski | 332.25
Joe Deraney | East | 331.25
Cody Massa | 327.50
Michael Buttacavoli | East | 322.50
Hayes Brown | East | 317.00
Stewart Hagestad | East | 317.00
Worth the Detour
There are certain weeks on the golf calendar that simply feel different, and this year's C.B. Macdonald Invitational was undoubtedly one of them. As competitors made their way around the timeless fairways of National Golf Links of America, just across Sebonac Road the world's best players were arriving at neighboring Shinnecock Hills for U.S. Open week. The result was a truly unique atmosphere—one where a premier amateur championship seamlessly transitioned into one of golf's grandest stages. For those fortunate enough to experience both, it was an unforgettable stretch that blended the intimacy of elite amateur competition with the unmistakable energy of a major championship.
Southampton is never the easiest destination to reach, but that's part of what makes weeks like this so special. Those willing to make the journey were rewarded with spectacular weather, world-class golf, and a front-row seat to one of the sport's greatest traditions. The entire village seemed to revolve around golf. It served as a reminder that while venues like these represent the pinnacle of architecture, they also represent the enduring culture and camaraderie that make the game so compelling.
It also felt like the perfect setting for Holderness & Bourne. Their understated style has become synonymous with golfers who appreciate timeless design, impeccable quality, and the traditions that define the game. Walking the grounds of National Golf Links and Shinnecock, it was impossible not to notice the brand's presence among players, members, and spectators alike which was a fitting reflection of a company that has become part of the fabric of championship golf.
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Until next month…..