The Steam Room by midamgolfHQ

October 2025

What we are steaming on this month:

September gave us a front-row seat to the U.S. Mid-Amateur, and it did not disappoint. From Brandon Holtz’s storybook run to the bizarre Paul Mitzel penalty that made headlines, the week in Arizona delivered drama, elite shotmaking, and a reminder of just how exciting mid-am golf can be. We’ve got a full recap below, along with highlights you won’t want to miss from the action in the desert. Beyond the Mid-Am, September also featured standout play at the Trans-Miss, Farrell, and Crump Cup, with each adding to a month full of incredible golf.

October keeps the momentum rolling with the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at the famed Monterey Peninsula Country Club, plus marquee stops like the Stocker Cup, J.R Williams, and the Devil’s Elbow. The Berkeley Cup also makes its long-awaited return after a year off, bringing a strong field and fresh storylines as the fall schedule heats up. We’ll break down what to watch for and who’s trending as we enter the home stretch of 2025.

You will also notice this month’s issue has a section brought to you by Forme. During the U.S Mid-Am we ran an Instagram story asking players for recovery tips and tricks. On the heels of this Forme reached out and wanted to sponsor a section in the newsletter discussing health performance tips and recovery. If you do decide to buy anything from them (we love the socks!), please use our code MIDAMHQ at checkout for a discount. We appreciate their support, and you will see this as an ongoing section in the newsletter!

2025 September Major Mid-Am Tournament Results

U.S Men’s Mid-Amateur

September 13-18, 2025

Troon Country Club & Troon North GC

Champion: Brandon Holtz

Holy smokes where to begin. From controversial rulings, to Gofundme’s, to some of the best greens players have seen all year - it was an action-packed week. Brandon Holtz emerged as the champion of the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating Jeg Coughlin III, 3 & 2 in the 36-hole final. Holtz, 38, who’s a former college basketball player, made history in his first USGA championship appearance, earning exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and likely an invite to the 2026 Masters. His gutsiest moment of the final match came on the 34th hole when he drove the par-4 downhill 308-yard hole to within seven feet of the flag, setting up an eagle and sealing the match. Holtz had carried momentum all week, playing aggressively off the tee with driver, recovering well during tight stretches, and showing strong mental composure.

One of the more bizarre and unfortunate stories came earlier in the event: Paul Mitzel’s (WA) match versus Ryan O’Rear (TX) in the Round of 64 ended controversially after 19 holes. Mitzel’s caddie accepted an offer from a nearby shuttle driver to ride in a cart from the green to the next tee—something volunteers sometimes offer—but that motion violated Model Local Rule G-6, which forbids use of motorized transportation by player or caddie during a round except where explicitly authorized. The result was a loss-of-hole penalty which, in this endurance match, meant Mitzel lost the match.

Through it all, the course itself was a star of the show. Troon Country Club, was in immaculate condition…….fast, firm, true fairways and greens with just enough moisture from a brief downpour early in the week to keep things from baking out fully. Temperatures stayed in the mid 90s, but the course held up well under pressure, with consistent conditioning that rewarded precision, good shotmaking, and smart course management rather than just brute power.

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the attention around the topic of reinstated amateurs in the field. This was all the buzz on platforms like X as everyone weighed in with their take. We touched on this back in our August issue and would encourage everyone to take a look back if you want our view.

In the mean time cheers to Brandon on a well earned victory!

Leaderboard
Final
Brandon Holtz defeats Jeg Coughlin III 3&2

Semifinals
Brandon Holtz defeats Christian Cavaliere 3&2
Jeg Couglin III defeats Evan Beck 1 Up

Quarterfinals
Brandon Holtz defeats Justin Hueber in 19 Holes
Christian Cavaliere defeats Bobby Massa 2&1
Evan Beck defeats Christian Brand 3&2
Jeg Couglin III defeats Parker Edens 3&2

Full results HERE

The Trans-Miss Mid Amateur

September 7-10, 2025

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

Champion: Ryan Burgess

Ryan Burgess of Southern California was able to capture the Trans-Miss Mid Amateur division with a commanding 5 shot win. The Trans-Mississippi’s Mid-Amateur & Mid-Master Championships are a 54-hole stroke-play event that brings together two elite age divisions Mid-Am (25+) and Mid-Master (40+) on premier venues with World Amateur Golf Ranking points on the line. Launched as a standalone championship in 2024, it spotlights firm-and-fast setups and national-caliber fields while keeping the Trans-Miss tradition of understated excellence. The 2025 edition was hosted at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, underscoring the event’s rotating schedule among classic courses and its growing place on the mid-am calendar.

Leaderboard
-9 | Ryan Burgess | 69-70-68=207
-4 | Ryan Terry | 76-66-70=212
-4 | Marian Ludwig | 72-70-70=212

Full results HERE

The Farrell

September 19-21, 2025

The Stanwich Club

Champions: Johnny Spellerberg & Lauren Greenlief

The Farrell proved why in just it’s 4th year it’s become a major on the mid-am circuit. Lauren Greenlief claimed the Ladies championship, defeating Perrine Gouin-Petit 3 & 1 in the final. Greenlief, a former U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion, had closely contested semifinal and final matches, edging Courtney Dow-Rowles by 1 up in the semis and then staying ahead for most of the final. A turning point came around Hole 13 in the final, where Greenlief’s approach and short game helped swing momentum in her favor.

On the men’s side, Johnny Spellerberg of Omaha Country Club won by defeating Matt Lowe of Long Island 4 & 3 in the final. He built a strong early lead with wins on holes 2, 4, 5, and 7, gave up hole 8, then regained momentum on hole 9. The match decisively turned on hole 13 when Spellerberg sank a 15-foot putt, extending his lead. After Lowe birdied 14, Spellerberg closed out the win on the 15th.

En route to the final, Spellerberg beat William Davenport of Whitemarsh Valley with a 5 & 3 victory, never trailing after the second hole. Matt Lowe got to the final after a tight semifinal win over red-hot Christian Cavaliere. Spellerberg’s performance showed strong consistency and command in match play, particularly in the early holes and in pressure moments late in the match. Congrats to everyone involved!

Leaderboard
Final
Johnny Spellerberg defeats Matt Lowe 4&3

Leaderboard
Final
Lauren Greenlief defeats Perrine Petit 3&1

Full results HERE

The Crump Cup

September 25-28, 2025

Pine Valley Golf Club

Champion: Bobby Wyatt

Bobby Wyatt, known as Mr. 57, can add the 100th Crump Cup Champion to his legacy, earning the title after outlasting Bobby Massa on the second extra hole in a loaded match play bracket at Pine Valley. Wyatt’s path to victory was anything but easy, taking down the top seeded Miguel Ordonez in his first match as well as defending champion Andrew Price in dominant fashion, 6&4, in the semifinals.

Mark Costanza and Dennis Bull won the 2nd and 3rd Flights, respectively. Bob Royak took down the Senior Championship Flight with his 4&3 victory over Robert F. Gerwin II.

Leaderboard (Championship Flight)
Final
Bobby Wyatt defeats Bobby Massa in 20 Holes

Semifinals
Bobby Wyatt defeats Andrew Price 6&4
Bobby Massa defeats Chadd Slutzky in 21 Holes

Quarterfinals
Bobby Wyatt defeats Andrew Bailey 2&1
Andrew Price defeats Joseph Deraney 1 Up
Bobby Massa defeats Brad Nurski 4&2
Chadd Slutzky defeats Stewart Hagestad in 20 Holes

Full results HERE

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Up Next

U.S Women’s Mid-Amateur

October 4-9, 2025

Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Dunes Course)

Defending Champion: Hana Ryskova

Monterey, California is set to host the best women mid-ams in the country as the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. The event will take place at truly one of the best venues in golf at the Dunes Course of Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, California. This par-72 layout measures 6,093 yards and sits with a course rating of 76.5 and slope of 139…….tough but fair, with a classic seaside routing that features scenic par-3s and challenging winds near the shore.

Defending champion Hana Ryskova will return as the player to beat as last season she captured the first ever USGA title for someone from Czechia with a 5&4 win in the final. There are also several past champions and high-ranking amateurs who are exempt into the championship field, making for a mix of experience and rising talent. Among the notable course features: the par-3 14th hole, perched across 17-Mile Drive, promises a moment of dramatic golf and beautiful views, and the layout’s routing means that during the stroke-play portion players will begin their rounds on either Hole 1 or Hole 12.

The format follows USGA tradition: two rounds of stroke play to determine the low 64, followed by match play through to the final. The winner will earn more than just the trophy and a gold medal, she’ll receive exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open (provided she remains an amateur), into future Women’s Mid-Amateurs and Women’s Amateurs, and a place on the USGA Champions’ plaque. All told, this year’s tournament promises a strong field and a challenging test over one of the classic courses on the West Coast.

Up Next

The Stocker Cup

October 16-18, 2025

The Preserve Golf Club

Defending Champion: Jack Schultz

Jack Schultz will look to defend his title at this fall’s Stocker Cup, held at one of mid-am golf’s most breathtaking venues, The Preserve Golf Club. Established in 1991 to honor Peter Stocker, co-founder of San Francisco’s Pacific Union Company, the event was originally contested at Pebble Beach before finding its home at The Preserve in Carmel. Designed by Tom Fazio and Sandy Tatum, the course winds through the spectacular 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve and is consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in the country. Its remote setting means most competitors will have no choice but to unplug and immerse themselves in the environment, with spotty cell service from most major carriers.

The Stocker Cup’s unique format combines a 54-hole individual championship with a best-ball competition, allowing Mid-Amateurs to team up with single-digit handicaps. Stocker’s love for the game and competitive spirit continue to shape one of the premier events in amateur golf.

Up Next

The John R. Williams Four-Ball Invitational

October 2-4, 2025

Oak Hill Country Club (East Course)

Defending Champion: Matt Parziale & Nick Maccario

Matt Parziale and Nick Maccario followed a wire-to-wire performance to win the John R. Williams Four-Ball at Oak Hill Country Club. They opened with a 6-under 64 and closed with two rounds of 69 to finish at -8, edging the field by five shots. Both players brought in strong credentials. Parziale with multiple deep runs in Massachusetts Amateur events and a USA championship under his belt and Maccario with solid showings in Mid-Amateur competition with various victories to his resume.

Looking ahead, expect Parziale & Maccario’s win to give them confidence headed into this year’s event. Their ability to lead from the front will make them the favorites. For the rest of the field, the challenge will be to match steady play and minimal mistakes and to chase these two down. Oak Hill is one of the finest venues in all of mid-amateur golf and in the early fall, it is truly one of the most special places to play!

Up Next

The Berkeley Cup

October 17-19, 2025

Berkeley Hills Country Club

The Berkeley Cup returns October 17-19, 2025 at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Georgia, after taking a year off in 2024 due to issues with the greens. The tournament will feature a limited 72-player field in a three-round, 54-hole stroke play format.

Taylor Smith, who went wire-to-wire at four under to win the 2023 edition, remains the benchmark as players return. With the greens now fully restored, conditioning will be a central storyline - fast but fair surfaces are expected to test putting touch and course management. Excited to see who comes out on top!

Up Next

Devils Elbow Invitational

October 28-31, 2025

Puntacana Resort (Corales Golf Course)

Defending Champion: Connor Doyal

The 2025 Devil’s Elbow Invitational returns as one of the more exciting Mid-Amateur events on the calendar, once again staged at the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic. This 54-hole stroke‐play tournament has rapidly built its reputation since its debut: not only is the field growing in strength, but the prize carries something rare in amateur golf as the winner earns an automatic exemption into a PGA Tour event (the Corales Punta Cana Championship). The modern design of the Corales course, especially the “Devil’s Elbow” closing stretch (holes 16-18), will test all facets of a player’s game with ocean winds, risk/reward shots, and premium scoring opportunity on offer. Connor Doyal is your defending champion with a strong field looking to take his crown!

2025 “Major” Mid-Am Event Schedule

Gasparilla Invitational - February 2025 - Scott Turner

The Snedeker Memorial - March 2025 - Nate Smith

Champions Cup Four-Ball - April 2025 - Will Davenport and 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 and 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

The Stocker Cup - October 2025

John R. Williams Four-Ball - October 2025

The Berkeley Cup - October 2025

Devils Elbow - October 2025

National Invitational Tournament - November 2025

Ewing Cup Four-Ball - November 2025

The Ice Bath

Is out of office this month - our professional writers are awaiting reinstatement

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…..