Scottsdale, Arizona, August 23, 2025
News Summary
The upcoming U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale will see 264 players compete for glory. Having qualified through intense events, players aged 25 and older are primed for the drama from September 13 to 18. The tournament promises a mix of veterans and new challengers, all aiming to showcase their grit on the challenging course. With a shift from stroke play to match play, the stakes are high as competitors navigate a demanding layout that tests both skill and mental fortitude.
Scottsdale
Storming the fairways: 264 players ready for the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon
Get ready for some serious amateur golf drama. From September 13 to 18, 2025, Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, will host the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship — and the final field is all set. After a month-long qualifying gauntlet, 264 players — all aged 25 and older — punched tickets to the national finals.
Qualifying: a grind that separated the steady from the shaky
Qualifying ran from July 16 to August 21 at 69 sites across the United States and Mexico. Hundreds of amateurs showed up to face tough course setups, heat in some regions, and the kind of pressure that makes every par feel like a victory. The story of qualifying was simple: play under par or go home. Many spots required birdies to survive, and in multiple places the cut line sat well below even par.
Some rounds stood out. Brandon Holtz stunned the field with a 9-under 63 at Crestwicke Country Club in Illinois — one of the lowest qualifying scores. Michael Buttacavoli matched the magic with a 63 at Coral Ridge Country Club in Florida. Out west, California produced some of the lowest cut lines, with Terry Ko firing a 64 in San Diego and some final qualifying spots decided at 66. In New Jersey, Sean Seese medaled at Springdale Golf Club with a 64, while advancing scores there dropped as low as 67.
Veterans and new challengers
The field is a mix of seasoned campaigners and hungry up-and-comers. Former champion Trip Kuehne qualified in Idaho, adding veteran savvy to the bracket. Arizona’s Cody Massa also advanced, following in the footsteps of family who ran deep in last year’s event. Not every high-profile name played qualifying — defending champion Evan Beck and three-time winner Stewart Hagestad were exempt and did not tee it up in qualifiers.
What to expect at Troon
Troon Country Club, along with nearby Troon North, is expected to be a brutal but fair test. Expect long walks, desert air, greens that won’t give anything away, and holes that demand both strategy and stamina. The format moves from stroke play in qualifying to match play at the finals, so the mental game shifts fast: a steady 72 won’t cut it in a head-to-head match unless it’s paired with clutch short-game saves and nerves of steel.
Think skill, think grit
Data collected over the last 20 years shows that states like California and Texas consistently produce lower cut lines — likely a mix of depth of talent and year-round playability. Qualifiers in the Midwest and some Northeastern sites have historically had slightly higher cut lines, but that doesn’t mean those players are any less dangerous come match play. The long journey from local qualifier to national champion is a grind that demands preparation, focus, and adaptability.
Why the U.S. Mid-Am matters
This championship is the marquee event for amateurs aged 25 and up — a different world from the college-heavy U.S. Amateur. The winner walks away with national recognition, invitations to some major championships, and a precious decade-long exemption into future U.S. Mid-Am events. That’s not just bragging rights; it’s a ticket to play on bigger stages and write your name into the history books.
Key themes going into the finals
- Mental resilience: Match play will punish the timid and reward the clutch.
- Short game excellence: Close chips and steady putting separate winners from the rest.
- Endurance and strategy: Troon’s layout will test stamina and course management over multiple days.
- Preparation: Qualifying success is only step one — match play is a whole different beast.
Final field snapshot
264 players. Ages 25 and up. A mix of veterans, past champions, and hungry new faces. Low rounds that grabbed headlines during qualifying. A national stage waiting in Scottsdale. This one promises upsets, long battles, and maybe a breakthrough story or two.
FAQ
When and where is the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship?
The championship runs September 13–18, 2025, at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
How many players qualified for the championship?
The final field includes 264 players who advanced from qualifying events held across the U.S. and Mexico.
What were the qualifying dates and how many sites hosted qualifiers?
Qualifying took place from July 16 to August 21 at 69 sites in the United States and Mexico.
Who was exempt from qualifying?
The defending champion and some past champions were exempt and did not play in the qualifying rounds.
What scores stood out during qualifying?
Notable low scores included two 63s recorded at different sites, a 64 medal in San Diego and New Jersey, and several final qualifying spots decided at 66 and 67.
What does the winner receive?
The champion gets national recognition, invitations to certain major championships, and a ten-year exemption into future U.S. Mid-Amateur championships.
How does stroke play differ from match play for competitors?
Stroke play rewards consistent low scores across rounds, while match play is head-to-head and often hinges on short-game shots, momentum, and mental toughness.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship |
| Dates | September 13–18, 2025 |
| Primary Venue | Troon Country Club, Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Field Size | 264 players (age 25+) |
| Qualifying Window | July 16–August 21, 2025 |
| Qualifying Sites | 69 across U.S. and Mexico |
| Lowest Qualifying Scores | Notable 63s, multiple 64s; final spots as low as 66–67 in some regions |
| Exemptions | Defending champion and some past champions exempt from qualifying |
| What winner earns | National recognition, major invitations, 10-year exemption into U.S. Mid-Am events |
Hold onto your hats, golf fans. The qualifiers have spoken, and now the real drama heads to Scottsdale. Expect tight matches, surprise upsets, and stories of grit as players trade stroke-play steadiness for the sudden-death flavor of match play. See you at Troon — where one week will decide who gets a decade-long ticket to this elite amateur club.
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Additional Resources
- Amateur Golf News: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying Wrap-Up
- Echo Press: Bryce Hanstad Qualifies for U.S. Amateur
- Amateur Golf News: How to Qualify for the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Tournament
- Chattanoogan: Golf Notebook – Tennessee Four Ball
- Google Search: U.S. Mid-Amateur Golf
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