40th Texas Mid-Amateur Set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1

Midland Country Club will be the host site for the 40th Texas Mid-Amateur, the last of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships conducted by the TGA. The championship, which features the state’s top male amateur golfers aged 25 and older, is scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

This will be the second Texas Mid-Amateur and 12th overall TGA championship to be held at the venerable West Texas club. In total, Midland Country Club has played host to six different TGA championships in its 96-year history, including the Texas Amateur, Women’s Texas Amateur, Texas Senior Amateur, West Texas Amateur, and Women’s Four-Ball. In addition, the club was also the site of the Web.com Tour’s (now Korn Ferry Tour) WNB Golf Classic from 2002-14.

“We are very excited to return to Midland Country Club for the 40th Texas Mid-Amateur,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Senior Tournament Director. “To have the opportunity to conduct one of our major championships at such a great venue is truly special and we know the membership and staff will provide an outstanding experience for the players.”

Founded in 1927, Midland Country Club began as a nine-hole course with sand greens. The club moved to its current location in the mid-1950s with an 18-hole course designed by Texas Golf Hall of Fame member Ralph Plummer. The course has undergone several modifications through the years, and in 2017 the architectural firm of Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design completed a comprehensive renovation in time for the club’s 90th anniversary.

The 11-month, multimillion-dollar project included building all new tees, greens, bunkers, and water features to enhance and fortify the strategic elements of Plummer’s original design. The par-72 layout, which can stretch to 7,450 yards from the back tees, is spread out across 350 acres and presents an exacting challenge to even the most accomplished players.

“Midland Country Club has proven over time to be a formidable test of golf and we are certain it will once again provide a spectacular setting for this year’s championship,” Untiedt said.

The starting field for the 40th Texas Mid-Amateur will be comprised of 132 players who earned entry into the championship through an exemption category or successfully advanced out of 18-hole qualifying held at 14 sites statewide from July 17-Sept. 19.

Format for the championship is 54 holes individual stoke play. All contestants will play 18 holes Sept. 29-30. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final round. In addition to the prize awarded to the overall champion, there also will be special recognition for the mid-master (players aged 40 and older) returning the lowest 54-hole score.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than Sept. 26. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Midland Country Club.

The list of decorated amateurs who will assemble in West Texas is headed by Ryan O’Rear of Georgetown, who captured his second Texas Mid-Amateur title last year at Abilene Country Club’s South Course. O’Rear, whose first victory came in 2020 at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, carded rounds of 66-69-70 to finish at 11-under-par 205 and earned a one-stroke victory over runner-up Zach Atkinson of Colleyville. Atkinson, a two-time TGA state champion (2004 Texas Amateur, 2016 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play), also earned low mid-master honors.

Eight other past Texas Mid-Amateur champions will join O’Rear in the starting field. They are Frederick Janneck of Fort Worth (who won in 2021), Christopher Wheeler of Addison (2019), Colby Harwell of San Antonio (2017-18), Joshua Irving of Dallas (2016), Terence Begnel of Midland (2014), Clay Hodge of Tyler (2013), Rob Couture of Celina (2008), and Mike Booker of Houston (2003).

Among the other notable players competing are 2020 and 2023 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler and 2023 South Mid-Amateur champion Logan Thomason of Montgomery, as well as top finishers returning from last year’s championship including Atkinson, Colby Amparan of Fort Worth (5th), Trey Todd of Abilene (T6), Ryan Zamorano of Dallas (T6), Dan Depasquale of Austin (T8), Josh Pasco of Midland (T8), and Cole Wiederkehr of Fort Worth (T8).

86th Texas Senior Amateur Set for Sept. 8-10

Amarillo Country Club will be the host site for the 86th Texas Senior Amateur, the third of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships conducted by the Texas Golf Association (TGA). The championship, which features the state’s top amateur golfers aged 55 and older, is scheduled for Sept. 8-10.

The Texas Senior will be the third TGA championship to be held at the historic Texas Panhandle club, which previously hosted the 2016 Women’s Senior Stroke Play, won by Texas Golf Hall of Famer Carolyn Creekmore, and the 2018 West Texas Amateur, won by David Bolen.

“We are honored to be back at Amarillo Country Club and to have the opportunity to conduct one of most important championships at such a remarkable venue,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Senior Tournament Director. “The club has been a tremendous supporter of amateur golf and it is a privilege to be working with the members and staff in providing a truly memorable experience for the players.”

Established in 1919 by banker and oilman Charles Fisk, Amarillo Country Club was the first of its kind in the region. The course was designed by William McConnell, who took advantage of the natural terrain of what was once rolling farmland to create the challenging layout. Warren Cantrell renovated the course in 1960, with additional revisions completed by Jay Morrish in 1983.

After nearly 30 years without any significant upgrades, in 2011 the membership approved an extensive modernization plan overseen by Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design. The multimillion-dollar project touched on every aspect of the course including the rerouting of several holes, regrading landing zones and approaches, repositioning tees and bunkers, and rebuilding and reshaping green complexes. To improve playing conditions, more than 350 trees were removed, a new irrigation and drainage system was installed, and the course was reseeded with cool-season grasses.

The impressive renovation produced an exacting par-71 layout, which can now stretch to nearly 7,000 yards, highlighted by twisting doglegs in both directions, deep bunkers, canted greens, and thick fescue rough around the playing perimeters.

“Amarillo has a remarkable variety of holes and is a great test of strategy and execution,” Untiedt said. “The course is going to be in fantastic condition for the championship and we are confident it will provide a tremendous arena for the talented senior amateurs to showcase their skills.”

To continue to ensure the strongest fields possible for the state’s premier senior amateur championship, an 18-hole qualifying stage has been established for all except exempt players, beginning in 2023. In addition, there are also expanded pathways into the championship through increased exemption categories, including the top players ranked in the World Amateur Golf Rankings®.

Sandy Pierce of Houston won last year’s Texas Senior Amateur in a playoff at Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course and is one of seven past champions among the 70 players who were fully exempt from having to qualify. Joining Pierce are Gary Durbin of Houston (who won in 2019 and 2021), John Derrick of Waco (2020), Lewis Stephenson of Burleson (2016, ’18), Mike Booker of Houston (2015), Mike Peck of Irving (2013), and Chuck Palmer of Dallas (2012).

Among the other exempt players are current North Senior Amateur champion John Schaefer of Plano and Texas Super Senior champion Chuck Gardner of Texarkana, as well as top finishers from the 2022 championship including Andrew Hydorn of Houston (Runner-Up), Terrence Miskell of New Braunfels (T3), Kyle Kelting of Amarillo (T3), David Ortego of Spring (T6), Lee Sandlin of Dallas (T9), and Tray Tyner of Kerrville (T9).

The remaining 74 spots in the 144-player starting field have been filled with the players who successfully advanced out of the 18-hole qualifiers held Aug. 1-22 at five sites statewide.

The format for the championship is 54 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both Sept. 8-9. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final round.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than Sept. 4. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Amarillo Country Club.

48th Texas Four-Ball Set for Aug. 18-20

The 48th Texas Four-Ball, the second of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships, will be played Aug. 18-20 at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview.

This will be the first TGA championship held at the historic East Texas club, which recently marked its 100th anniversary.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to conduct one of our premier championships at Pinecrest Country Club,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Senior Tournament Director. “We know the membership and staff will provide a fantastic championship experience and the players will enjoy competing on this wonderful course.”

Founded in 1921, Pinecrest Country Club began as a nine-hole course with sand greens. The club expanded to 18 holes in 1958 and was designed by Press Maxwell, son of famed golf course architect Perry Maxwell. Although not long by today’s standards, the 6,541-yard, par-70 layout offers up plenty of challenges with narrow fairways lined by towering pine trees, contoured greens guarded by deep bunkers, and water coming into play on many holes.

“Pinecrest is a very strategic course with numerous risk-reward opportunities throughout the round,” Untiedt said. “It encourages teams to play aggressively and is certain to make for an exciting championship.”

The 48th Texas Four-Ball will feature three divisions: Championship, Senior (age 55 and older), and Super Senior (age 65 and older). The starting field limit is 80 teams, with 48 spots allotted to the Championship Division, 20 to the Senior Division, and 12 to the Super Senior Division. The three divisions compete from different sets of tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized in each division.

The format for the championship is 54 holes of four-ball stroke play. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the lowest 40 team scores and ties, with a pro-rated representation from each division.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than Aug. 16. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Pinecrest Country Club.

At the 2022 championship held at Comanche Trace in Kerrville, the San Antonio team of Chase Clayton and Josh Logan posted a 54-hole total of 21-under-par 195 to win the Championship Division by three shots over Chris Donahoe of Austin and Will Dusenbury of Bulverde. Mike Booker of Houston and Pat Youngs of San Antonio finished at 23-under 193 to claim a two-stroke victory in the Senior Division over Chris Goodspeed of Farmers Branch and Bill Steen of Frisco. Tom Burns of Houston and Michael Puls of Irving also carded a three-day total of 23-under 193 to win the Super Senior Division by seven over Hollis Sullivan of Westworth Village and Steve Whiteside of Midland.

Regional Amateurs Set for Aug. 4-6

Thorntree Golf Club in DeSoto and The Wilderness Golf Club in Lake Jackson will be the host sites for the North Amateur and South Amateur, respectively. The championships will be held concurrently from Aug. 4-6.

Built by the Richard Mai family, Thorntree Golf Club opened in 1983. The parkland-style course features a number of elevation changes, mature trees lining the fairways, and contoured greens guarded by deep bunkers. The Wilderness Golf Club opened in 2004 and was designed by Jeffrey Brauer. Recognized as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, the scenic layout weaves through and around hardwood forests, streams, marshes, and protected wetlands.

First played in 2003, Regional Amateur entries are open to male amateur golfers who have an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel in Salado.

The format for the 84-player starting field in both Regional Amateurs is 54 holes of individual stroke play with no cut. The top three finishers and ties receive automatic exemptions into the 2024 Texas Amateur. Additionally, the top two mid-amateur (age 25 and older) finishers and ties earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Midland Country Club.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds of both championships will be posted on the TGA website no later than Aug. 1. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Thorntree Golf Club and The Wilderness Golf Club.

At the 2022 championships, Jason Schultz of Allen successfully defended his North Amateur title with rounds of 72-69-67 at Harbor Lakes Golf Club in Granbury. His 8-under-par 208 total was good for a two-stroke margin of victory over Joe Seth Murphy of Flint. It was the third TGA title of the season for Schultz, who earlier in the year won the North Mid-Amateur and Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play. Brian Comegys of Austin carded rounds of 67-71-68 at Victoria Country Club for a wire-to-wire victory at the South Amateur. Comegys finished at 10-under 206 and five strokes ahead of runner-up David Harrison of San Antonio.

25th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Set for July 27-30

Cross Timbers Golf Course in Azle will be the host site for the 25th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play from July 27-30. This will be the first TGA championship to be held at Cross Timbers.

“We are thrilled to have Cross Timbers Golf Course as a new championship partner,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Senior Tournament Director. “It is always exciting when we have the opportunity to conduct an event at a spectacular facility for the first time and we are certain it will be a great experience for the players.”

Opened in 1995, Cross Timbers Golf Course was designed by Texas-based architect Jeffery Brauer. Routed through a secluded woodland area near Ash Creek, the strategic 6,734-yard, par-72 layout features significant elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, natural hazards, and well-protected, contoured greens.

“Cross Timbers has a wonderful variety of holes that present a challenge to a player’s entire game,” Untiedt said. “There are numerous risk-reward options throughout the round where momentum swings can happen quickly, which makes the course a very compelling venue for the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play.”

The 25th edition of the championship begins with a 90-player starting field playing 18 holes of stroke play qualifying on Thursday, July 27, with the lowest 32 scorers advancing to the match play stage of the championship. First- and second-round matches will be played Friday, July 28; quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday, July 29; and the final on Sunday, July 30. All matches are 18 holes.

Starting times for the stroke play qualifying round will be posted on the TGA website no later than July 24. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Cross Timbers Golf Course.

At last year’s Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play held at Denton Country Club, Jason Schultz of Allen rallied from an early 2-hole deficit to defeat Rob Couture of Celina, 3 and 1, in the championship final. It was the second TGA title of the season for Schultz, who earlier in the year won the North Mid-Amateur at Paris Golf & Country Club.

First held in 1999, the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play is the only individual event on the TGA annual schedule to feature head-to-head competition. Notable past winners include Texas Golf Hall of Famers Chip Stewart (2001) and Mike Booker (2013) and two-time champion Colby Harwell (2017, ’19).

95th West Texas Amateur Set for July 21-23

Diamondback National Golf Club in Abilene is set to host the 95th West Texas Amateur, which will take place July 21-23.

This is the fourth TGA championship and second West Texas Amateur to be held at Diamondback National. The club previously hosted the 2002 Texas Father-Son, 2003 Texas Senior Four-Ball, and 2012 West Texas Amateur.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Diamondback National Golf Club this year to stage one of our foremost championships,” said Owen Kinney, TGA Tournament Coordinator. “We are grateful to the club for their continued commitment to amateur golf and we know the members and staff are eager to provide a truly memorable experience for the players.”

Opened in 1999, Diamondback National Golf Club was designed by Abilene resident and 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody, along with Williams, Gill & Associates. Situated on 220 acres of rolling terrain, the par-71 layout, which can stretch to nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees, features dramatic rock outcroppings, extensive native areas, and Lytle Creek coming into play on nearly half the holes.

“Diamondback National is a great layout and can be very challenging, especially when the wind picks up,” Kinney said. “The course will be an excellent test for the players and will certainly make for an exciting championship.”

The 95th West Texas Amateur features three divisions: Championship, Senior (age 55 and older) and Super Senior (age 65 and older). The 144-player starting field consists of 84 players in the Championship Division, 42 in the Senior Division, and 18 in the Super Senior Division. The three divisions will compete from different sets of tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized in each division.

The championship will be contested over 54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 72 scorers and ties, with a pro-rated representation from each division.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than July 18. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Diamondback National Golf Club.

At last year’s West Texas Amateur, Casey Carnes of Schertz won the Championship Division with rounds of 68-71-67 on the Old Course at Odessa Country Club. His 10-under-par 206 total was good for a three-shot margin of victory over Nolan Otto of Big Spring. Kelly Eng of Austin finished at 5-under 211 to capture the Senior Division by one stroke over Joe Sconiers of Iraan. Mike Peck of Irving closed with a 4-under 68 in the final round (1-under 215 total) to win the Super Senior Division by five shots over Lelan Chiles of Granbury and Michael Puls, also of Irving.

First played in 1925, the West Texas Amateur is one of the oldest continuously held amateur events in the U.S. The championship has had a rich history of notable winners including Texas Golf Hall of Famers Don Cherry, Coody, John Grace, Billy Maxwell, and Hal Underwood.

43rd Texas Father-Son Set for July 7-9

Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne will be the host site for the 43rd Texas Father-Son. Conducted by the Texas Golf Association (TGA), the championship is scheduled for July 7-9.

This will be the third Texas Father-Son and fifth overall TGA championship to be held at the club. Tapatio Springs previously hosted the 1984 and ’85 Texas Father-Son, 1992 Women’s Senior Stroke Play, and 2004 Texas Senior Amateur.

“Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort has proven to be a great championship site and we are very excited to return for this year’s Texas Father-Son,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “The support from the club has been incredible and we look forward to providing an amazing experience for all involved.”

Located approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort opened in 1981 with a course originally designed by Bill Johnston. In 2015, Tripp Davis & Associates completed an extensive renovation which included reshaping and rebuilding all fairways, bunkers, teeing areas, and green complexes.

“The variety and quality of holes at Tapatio Springs is outstanding,” Guthrie said. “It’s an ideal course for this championship and is sure to provide a challenging but fair test to every team in the field.”

First held in 1981, the Texas Father-Son is one of the most popular events on the TGA’s annual schedule and is a longstanding summer tradition for many families. To make this unique tournament more accessible to a wider range of players, the 80 teams in the starting field are pre-assigned to one of six flights based on a combined Low Handicap Index® over a one-year period ending on July 1.

The Championship Flight consists of 40 teams with the lowest combined handicap indexes and will play four-ball stroke play the first two rounds. After 36 holes, the low 20 teams (and ties) continue on in the Championship Flight and will play combined individual stroke play in the final round. The three-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Teams not making the 36-hole cut in the Championship Flight will compete in the Presidents Flight and play another round of four-ball stroke play. The format for all other flights is 54-hole net four-ball stroke play.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than July 5. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort.

At the 2022 Texas Father-Son, Kyle and Derick Kelting came from two strokes behind in the final round to pull off an impressive three-peat at Wichita Falls Country Club. The two-time defending champions posted a 10-under-par 274 total to finish one stroke ahead of 36-hole leaders Chris and Price Hill. With the victory, the Keltings became just the second team in championship history to win three consecutive titles. The only other team to accomplish the feat were Tom and Will Doughtie, who won four straight from 2001-2004.

9th Women’s Stroke Play Championship Set for June 23-25

Harbor Lakes Golf Club in Granbury will be the host site for the 9th Women’s Stroke Play. Conducted by the Texas Golf Association, the championship is scheduled for June 23-25.

This will be the fourth TGA championship to be held at Harbor Lakes. The club previously hosted the 2006 and 2012 Women’s Senior Stroke Play and the 2022 North Texas Regional Amateur.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return this year to Harbor Lakes Golf Club for one of our premier championships,” said Amy Worthington, TGA Director of Women’s Operations. “We know the club and its membership, which have long been passionate supporters of amateur golf, will provide an exceptional experience for the players.”

Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Harbor Lakes Golf Club opened in 2003 and was designed by Dick Phelps. The par-72 layout, which will play approximately 6,300 yards during the championship, is routed through a varied landscape of rolling hills, hardwood trees, and open meadows. With many fairways and greens guarded by water hazards, bunkers, and run-off areas, the course presents an exacting challenge to even the most accomplished players.

“Harbor Lakes requires a combination of strength, precision, and sound course management to score well,” Worthington said. “It’s a fantastic course with lots of character and nuance and will be a great test for the state’s best female amateur golfers.”

The 9th Women’s Stroke Play will be contested over 54 holes of individual stroke play. The top 30 players with the lowest World Handicap System Indexes® will compete in the Championship Flight, plus those players who opted into the Championship Flight at the time entries were submitted. The remaining players will compete in one of two additional flights.

Defending champion Camryn Carreon of San Antonio will head the 84-player starting field at Harbor Lakes. Carreon, a then-senior at UT San Antonio, carded rounds of 74-71-68 to win the 8th Women’s Stroke Play last year at Traditions Club at Texas A&M in Bryan. Her 3-under 213 total was good for a three-stroke victory over runner-up Ellie Szeryk of Allen. Carreon will look to become the first player in the championship’s 9-year history to capture back-to-back titles.

Joining Carreon are several other top finishers from the 2022 championship, including Elina Sinz of Katy (who finished 4th), Delaney Martin of Boerne (8th), Alise Knudson of Dallas (T9), Megan Tan of Fort Worth (11th), and Mason Lewis of Granbury (T12).

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than June 21. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Harbor Lakes Golf Club.

First held in 2015, the Women’s Stroke Play is one of the two women’s majors on the TGA’s annual schedule along with the Women’s Texas Amateur. Thus far, three players have won both the Women’s Stroke Play and Women’s Texas Amateur. They are Hanna Alberto, Annika Clark, and Emma McMyler. Only McMyler has captured both major titles in the same year.

114th Texas Amateur Set for June 15-18

The Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley is poised to host the 114th Texas Amateur. Conducted by the TGA since 1906, this year’s championship is scheduled for June 15-18.

“The goal of hosting the Texas Amateur started several years ago, and we’re very excited that all the hard work has come to fruition,” said Bob Gusella, The Clubs at Houston Oaks’ General Manager. “To be able to welcome the finest amateur golfers in the state for the 114th Texas Amateur this summer is an honor and a privilege for us. We can’t wait to showcase our club and our unique brand of Texas hospitality.”

This year’s Texas Amateur will be the second TGA men’s major and third overall TGA championship conducted at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. The club previously hosted the 2018 Texas Shootout and the 2021 Texas-Mid Amateur.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to The Clubs at Houston Oaks for the 114th Texas Amateur,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “The owners, members, and staff at Houston Oaks are such tremendous supporters of amateur golf, and we are excited to extend our relationship with them and to work together in conducting an unforgettable championship.”

The Clubs at Houston Oaks has been constantly growing and evolving ever since three couples got together to purchase the old Tennwood Country Club in the mid-2000s. They gave it a new name and purpose and implemented a long-range plan to enhance the entire facility in a multi-step approach. When it came time to redo the existing golf course, the new owners hired noted Texas-based architect Chet Williams.

In early 2016, Williams began work on a comprehensive overhaul of the course that involved reimagining everything above ground and modernizing all below-ground systems as well.

Following the completion of the 17-month, multimillion-dollar remodel, the modern-day Houston Oaks course was unveiled in late 2017. Williams’ stunning 7,007-yard, par-71 layout meanders through groves of centuries-old oak trees and in and around natural water features and vast native areas. The course features gentle undulations throughout with a wonderful variety of strategic challenges including long and short holes, doglegs, cleverly placed bunkers, and large green complexes.

“At first glance, it may not look as intimidating as some courses, but it’s a fantastic test of golf,” Gusella said. “The players will need precision and discipline starting from the tee box. They will need to hit the fairways most importantly, and then carefully maneuver their way around from there to score well.”

The golden opportunity to compete for the state’s most coveted amateur title at such a highly regarded venue as Houston Oaks was not lost on the players. The TGA accepted a record 1,176 entries for the 114th Texas Amateur, eclipsing the previous record of 1,010 accepted entries for the 111th Texas Amateur in 2020 at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg. It is just the second time entries have surpassed the 1,000 mark.

“The Clubs at Houston Oaks is well known around the state, and we knew from the start there would be a tremendous amount of interest for this year’s championship,” Guthrie said. “It’s very gratifying to set a record for the number of entries, because it shows just how excited players are about competing in the Texas Amateur at such a special place.”

Holden Wisener of Dallas won last year’s Texas Amateur in a playoff at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler and is one of four past champions among the 41 players who were fully exempt from having to qualify. Joining Wisener are Austyn Reily of Pottsboro (2021), Trey Bosco of Austin (2020), and Zach Atkinson of Colleyville (2004).

Top finishers from the 2022 championship are also among the group of exempt players and include Hayes Hamilton of Kingwood (who finished T4), Francois Jacobs of League City (T4), Travis Woolf of Fort Worth (7th), Hunter Bott of Montgomery (T8), Garrett Leek of Brock (T8), and Cody Winkler of McKinney (T11).

To determine the remaining 103 spots in the 144-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held April 10 – June 6 at 14 sites across the state.

The format for the walking-only championship is 72 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both June 15-16. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than June 12. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Clubs at Houston Oaks.

The Texas Amateur is the state’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship and is one of the four men’s majors on the TGA’s annual schedule along with the Texas Four-Ball, Texas Senior Amateur and Texas Mid-Amateur. Notable past Texas Amateur champions include Charles Coody, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke, Mark Brooks, Scott Verplank, Bob Estes, and Will Zalatoris.

2023 TEXAS AMATEUR NOTES

PAR AND YARDAGE: For the Championship, The Clubs at Houston Oaks will play approximately 7,007 yards with a par of 35-36 – 71.

SCHEDULE OF PLAY: Thursday, June 15 – First round, stroke play (18 holes). First wave starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees; Second wave starting times begin at 12:30 p.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees.

Friday, June 16 – Second round, stroke play (18 holes). First wave starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees; Second wave starting times begin at 12:30 p.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. The starting field of 144 players will be cut after 36 holes to the low 54 scorers and ties.

Saturday, June 17 – Third round, stroke play (18 holes). Starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees.

Sunday, June 18 – Final round, stroke play (18 holes). Starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. Lowest scorer for 72 holes will be the champion. In the event of a tie for the Championship, a hole-by-hole play-off will be held immediately following regulation play.

H.L. EDWARDS MEMORIAL TROPHY: The winner of the Texas Amateur receives custody of the H.L. Edwards Memorial Trophy, named in honor of Harry Lee Edwards, the “Father of Golf in Texas.” Edwards earned the descriptive title because he helped to establish the TGA in February of 1906, served as its first president, and won the first-ever Amateur Championship. Additionally, Edwards was also a founding member of both Dallas Country Club and Brook Hollow Golf Club.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONS SUCCESSFUL ON TOUR: Ten past Texas Amateur champions have combined for a remarkable 58 wins on the PGA Tour: Ben Crenshaw (1972) – 19; Bruce Lietzke (1971) – 13; Mark Brooks (1979, 1981) – 7; Scott Verplank (1982, 1984-85) – 5; Bob Estes (1988) – 4; Charles Coody (1959) – 3; Earl Stewart, Jr. (1947) – 3; Don Massengale (1958) – 2; Marty Fleckman (1964) – 1; and Will Zalatoris (2014) – 1.

FOLLOW THE TEXAS AMATEUR: Once the action gets underway from The Clubs at Houston Oaks, log on to the TGA website for up-to-date Texas Amateur news and information, including starting times, pairings, live scoring, and daily recaps. For enhanced Texas Amateur coverage, follow the TGA’s social media feeds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Texas League Play Championship Playoffs Start June 1

Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club in San Antonio will be the host site for the 2023 Texas League Play Championship Playoffs. The 16-team, single-elimination bracket tournament will be held from June 1-4.

“We are thrilled to have Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club hosting the Championship Playoffs,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “We know it will be a fantastic experience for the players and the challenging golf course will be an ideal stage for an exciting four days of competition and camaraderie.”

Located about 15 miles west of downtown San Antonio, Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club boasts three nine-hole courses designed by Arthur Hills and Associates. The original 18 holes, the Lakes and Oaks Courses, opened for play in 1993. The Creeks Course was added in 2005. Encompassing more than 200 acres, the three nines blend together seamlessly, yet each offers distinct settings from links-style undulating grasslands to a parkland backdrop with tree-shaded plateaus and tranquil lakes and ponds.

Texas League Play was established by the Texas Golf Association in 2006 as part of its commitment to support and grow amateur competition at the public and private club level. This year, 13 regional conferences were formed around the state where four member clubs in the same geographical area played a home-and-away series for a total of six matches during the regular season, which ran from March 1 to May 7. The teams compiling the best record in their respective conferences earned a spot in the playoffs to determine the overall state champion. A total of four wild-card teams, including one as a substitution for a regional conference winner, were added to postseason play in 2023 to complete the 16-team bracket.

Club teams are comprised of eight players and each team match consists of four, four-ball matches: one played at scratch and three by handicap indexes arranged from low to high. Within each of the four-ball matches that make up one team match, there is one point awarded for winning the front nine, one for the back nine and one for the overall 18-hole match. A total of 12 points are available within each team match and at least 6.5 points are needed for a team victory.

Five past Texas League Play champions qualified for the postseason in 2023, including defending champions Odessa Country Club, who also won the title in 2019. The other four clubs are Green Tree Country Club in Midland (2012, 2021), Nutcracker Golf Club (2020) and DeCordova Bend Country Club (2007-08, 2018), both in Granbury, and Tierra Verde Golf Club in Arlington (2013-15).

The 12 regional conference winners and four wild-card teams are seeded into the Championship Playoffs based on the total number of points accumulated during the regular season. Brownwood Country Club in Brownwood earned the No. 1 seed with 52 points. Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu claimed the No. 2 seed with 51 points. The first- and second-round matches will be played June 1-2, semifinals on June 3 and the final on June 4. All matches are 18 holes and will be contested on the Oaks and Creeks Courses.

At last year’s championship held on the Slick Rock Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort, Odessa Country Club’s Old Course team defeated Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club in Rockwall, 9.5-2.5, in the final match.

Live scoring updates and daily recaps from the 2023 Texas League Play Championship Playoffs will be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club.

2023 Texas League Play Championship Playoffs

Finals Seeding

June 1-4 at Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club 

1. Brownwood Country Club, Brownwood (52 points)
2. Eagle Pointe Golf Club, Mont Belvieu (51 pts)
3. Nutcracker Golf Club, Granbury (47 pts)
4. Tierra Verde Golf Club, Arlington (45.5 pts)
5. Sweetwater Country Club, Sugar Land (44 pts)
6. Hackberry Creek Country Club, Irving (42 pts)
7. Sports Club of Las Colinas, Irving (41 pts)
8. Ridglea Country Club, Fort Worth (40.5 pts)
9. Green Tree Country Club (North), Midland (38.5 pts)
10. Barton Creek Country Club, Austin (38 pts)
11. Green Tree CC (East), Midland (37.5 pts)
12. TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney (37.5 pts)
13. DeCordova Bend Country Club, Granbury – Wild Card (44 pts)
14. Odessa Country Club (Old), Odessa – Wild Card (42 pts)
15. San Angelo Country Club, San Angelo – Wild Card (41.5 pts)
16. Odessa Country Club (Links), Odessa – Wild Card (41 pts)