The Cookout by seniorgolfHQ Vol 4
The Cookout by seniorgolfHQ
May 2026
What we are cooking this month:
Welcome back to the fourth edition of The Cookout, where we break down everything happening at the highest levels of senior amateur golf. May is here, and with it comes a strong stretch of competition across the senior amateur golf calendar. This month’s edition highlights standout performances from two major events: the Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship and the Society of Seniors Senior Masters, where experienced players once again proved that competitive excellence only sharpens with time. From Todd Doss’s impressive closing surge at Desert Willow to Bryan Hoops’s clutch, back-to-back victory at Indian Wells, April delivered both dominant wins and dramatic finishes.
Beyond the results, the season is only gaining momentum. With premier events like the Trans-Mississippi Senior Championship and the Huddleston Cup on the horizon, the depth of talent and level of competition remain as high as ever. In this issue, we recap recent champions, break down key moments, and look ahead to what promises to be an exciting run of tournaments in the weeks to come. Let’s get cooking.
2026 April Major Senior-Am Tournament Results
Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship
March 31-April 2, 2026
Desert Willow GC - Firecliff Course
Champion: Todd Doss
Spring is here, and the Golfweek Senior Amateur at Desert Willow (check out our course profile of Firecliff) delivered as an excellent venue for top tier golf. During the opening round, Todd Doss reached the 12th tee at 3-over par. He then surged over his final seven holes with four birdies and an eagle to post a 69. A steady second-round 73 left him three shots behind leader Randy Haag entering the final round, but Doss quickly flipped the script with a bogey-free front-nine 32 to pull even at 6-under as Haag faltered with three straight bogeys. Doss pulled away on the back nine with birdies at 12, 13, and 15, cruising to a four-shot victory.
In other divisions, Scott Masingill of Payette, Idaho captured the Super Senior title by one shot over Mark Morgan, highlighted by a clutch birdie on the par-3 17th. Craig Calkins of Manhattan Beach, California dominated the Legend division, leading from start to finish and winning by nine strokes with three subpar rounds. David Rasley of Payson, Arizona also went wire to wire, securing a commanding ten-shot victory in his division.
Leaderboard
-7 | Todd Doss | 69-73-67=209-3 | Jerry Gunthorpe | 69-73-71=213-2 | Greg Sanders | 68-74-72=214-2 | Randy Haag | 70-69-75=214Up Next
Society of Seniors: Senior Masters
April 9-11, 2026
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Champion: Bryan Hoops
Palm Springs delivered perfect weather all week for the 2026 Senior Masters at Indian Wells Golf Resort, where three of the four divisions were decided in dramatic fashion and two required extra holes. In the championship division, Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Arizona secured his second consecutive title with a final-round 3-under 69, finishing at 7-under 208 (71-68-69) to edge Rick Stimmel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by one shot. The two battled throughout the final round, trading momentum after Stimmel built an early front nine lead, before Hoops responded with key birdies to keep pace.
The match remained tight down the stretch, with both players tied heading to the 18th hole. Stimmel’s approach from a fairway bunker left him just off the green, while Hoops reached in regulation and calmly two-putted for par. Stimmel was unable to get up and down after missing his par attempt, sealing the victory for Hoops.
Rounding out the Senior divisions, Allen Peake clinched the Super Senior title on the second playoff hole over Jerry Rose. Michael Jonson also secured victory on the second playoff hole in the Legends division over Evan Long. Greg Mokler held off a late charge by Sam Robinson to claim the Super Legend division.
Leaderboard
-7 | Bryan Hoops | 71-68-69=208-6 | Rick Stimmel | 68-69-72=209-3 | Randy Haag | 71-71-70=212-2 | John Bearrie | 68-73-72=213Up Next
Trans-Mississippi Senior Championship
May 18-21, 2026
Mission Hills Country Club (Pete Dye Challenge Course)
Defending Champion: Bryan Hoops
The Trans-Mississippi Senior Championship has become one of the premier events on the senior amateur calendar. First played in 2000, it mirrors the prestige of the main championship but is tailored for elite players aged 55 and older. What makes the senior division especially compelling is the depth of experience and national-level talent. The field typically includes former champions, top-ranked senior amateurs, and players with decades of competitive resumes. Despite shorter yardages compared to the open division, the challenge remains significant, with demanding course setups, firm conditions, and pressure-packed formats that reward consistency and course management. Recent championships have featured standout performances, including Bryan Hoops winning last year at 10-under against a strong field, underscoring both the scoring ability and competitiveness of the event.
Up Next
Huddleston Cup (Senior Division)
May 28-30, 2026
Maridoe Golf Club
Defending Champion: Bryan Hoops
The Huddleston Cup returns in 2026 as one of the most demanding and exclusive tests in senior amateur golf, once again hosted at Maridoe Golf Club just outside Dallas. Despite being designed with modern power in mind, the course still presents a formidable challenge for senior players, stretching to nearly 7,900 yards with a punishing rating and slope that demand precision, strategy, and endurance. It creates a championship environment where only the most well-rounded and disciplined players can truly contend.
The 54-hole stroke play format keeps pressure high from the very first tee shot, leaving no opportunity to settle in. For a select, invite-only senior field, every shot carries weight, and experience becomes just as critical as execution. Within the senior ranks, the Huddleston Cup has quickly earned a reputation as one of the purest and toughest competitive tests on the schedule.
2026 “Major” Senior-Am Events
Society of Seniors: Spring Classic - February 2026 - William Mallon
Gasparilla Invitational (Senior Division) - February 2026 - Jeff Frazier
Jones Cup Senior Invitational - February 2026 - Mike McCoy
Society of Seniors: Ed Tutwiler Four-Ball - March 2026 - Fox & Channell
Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship - March/April 2026 - Todd Doss
Society of Seniors: Senior Masters - April 2026 - Bryan Hoops
Trans-Mississippi Senior Championship - May 2026
Huddleston Cup (Senior Division) - May 2026
R&A Senior Amateur Championship - July 2026
North & South Senior Men’s Amateur Championship - August 2026
Sunnehanna Senior Amateur Championship - August 2026
Valentine Invitational - August 2026
Senior Porter Cup - September 2026
USGA Men’s Senior Amateur - August/September 2026
The Crump Cup (Senior Division) - September 2026
International Senior Individual Championship - October 2026
Ojai Senior Cup - October 2026
Reynolds Senior Invitational - October 2026
California Senior Amateur Championship - November 2026
East West Cup Matches - November 2026
Society of Seniors: Ralph Bogart - November 2026
East West Matches
Senior Standings
As of April 24, 2026
Bob Royak | 1,317.82
Mike McCoy | West | 1,112.50
Bryan Hoops | West | 1,080.00
Gene Elliott | West | 887.70
Danny Nelson | East | 578.00
Jeff Knox | East | 500.00
Doug Hanzel | East | 478.00
Robert Gerwin | East | 470.60
Mike Lohner | 463.50
Jack Larkin | East | 459.00
Robert Funk | West | 433.00
Greg Sanders | West | 427.50
Kevin Vandenberg | East | 409.35
Miles McConnell | 367.50
Mike Sposa | East | 330.00
Jim Lehman | 300.00
Jack Hall | East | 292.00
Todd White | 270.00
Big Niger | West | 255.00
Tony Wise | East | 241.50
Neal Barfield | 235.00
Jeff Frazier | East | 225.00
Shaw Pritchett | East | 219.82
Rusty Strawn | East | 214.00
Arnold Cutrell | East | 212.50
We love to feature our passionate senior-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) @seniorgolfHQ
Until next month…..