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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).

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39th Texas Mid-Amateur Set for Sept. 23-25

Abilene Country Club will be the host site for the 39th Texas Mid-Amateur, the last of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships conducted by the Texas Golf Association. The championship, which features the state’s top amateur golfers aged 25 and older, will be held Sept. 23-25 on the South Course of the 36-hole facility.

“We are very excited to return to such an iconic venue as Abilene Country Club,” said Read Langhenry, TGA Tournament Director. “The club has been a tremendous supporter of the game at all levels through the years, and we know the membership and staff will provide an outstanding experience for the players as they compete for this prestigious championship title.”

Abilene Country Club’s South Course (formerly Fairway Oaks Country Club) opened in 1980 and was designed by Ron Garl and Charles Coody. The 7,136-yard, par-72 layout, with its narrow fairways, numerous water hazards and large, undulating green complexes, has proven from the outset to be a stern challenge for even the most accomplished players. From 1981-1990, both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) made stops on the South Course, with some of the best ball strikers of the time notching victories, including Tom Weiskopf, Curtis Strange, and Hal Sutton.

This will be the first Texas Mid-Amateur and ninth overall TGA championship held at Abilene Country Club, which was founded in 1921. The historic West Texas club has previously hosted two Women’s Texas Amateurs (1957 and 1975), three Texas Senior Amateurs (1982, 1991 and 1996), and three West Texas Amateurs (2005, 2011 and 2021).

“On behalf of the membership, staff, and employees of Abilene Country Club, we are extremely excited and grateful to be the host facility of the 39th Texas Mid-Amateur Championship,” said Director of Golf Jimmy Tidwell. “The South Course has a long history of hosting prestigious events and challenging the best players in the game. We look forward to providing a great stage where the players can showcase their skills and we are confident that all participants will enjoy the test that the South Course presents.”

First played in 1984, the Texas Mid-Amateur is open to male amateurs who have a WHS Handicap Index® of 8.4 or less, will have reached the age of 25 on or before the tournament start date, and are current Texas residents.

This year’s starting field will include 132 players, who earned entry into the championship through an exemption category or 18-hole sectional qualifying at one of 14 sites across the state from July 20 – Sept. 12.

Format for the championship is 54 holes individual stoke play. All contestants will play 18 holes Sept. 23-24. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scores 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.

The list of decorated amateurs who will assemble at Abilene Country Club is headed by Frederick Janneck of Fort Worth, who won the 38th Texas Mid-Amateur at The Clubs of Houston Oaks in Hockley. Janneck carded rounds of 73-67-67 to finish at 6-under-par 207 and earned a three-stroke victory over runners-up Clay Fullick of Conroe and Aaron Hickman of Tyler, who also tied for low mid-master honors.

Five other past champions will join Janneck in the starting field. They are Ryan O’Rear of Leander (who won in 2020), Christopher Wheeler of Addison (2019), Colby Harwell of San Antonio (2017-18), Clay Hodge of Bryan (2013), and Beau Davis of Fort Worth (2011).

Among the other notable players competing in the 39th Texas Mid-Amateur include 2022 West Texas Amateur champion Casey Carnes of Schertz, 2022 South Regional Mid-Amateur champion Dan Depasquale of Austin, 2019 and 2021 Texas Senior Amateur champion Gary Durbin of Houston, 2021 North Regional Player of the Year Gant Bills of Plano, 2018 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Anthony Estorga of Dallas, and 2016 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Zach Atkinson of Colleyville, who also won the 95th Texas Amateur in 2004.

Live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee times and pairings, will be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Abilene Country Club.

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Texas Mid-Amateur Set for Sept. 10-12

The state’s top amateur golfers aged 25 and older will gather at The Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley from Sept. 10-12 for the 38th Texas Mid-Amateur, the third of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships conducted by the Texas Golf Association.

This will be the first major stroke-play event and third TGA championship overall to be held at Houston Oaks. The club previously hosted two team match-play competitions, the 2018 Texas Shootout and 2020 Jackie Burke Cup Matches. Houston Oaks is also scheduled to host the 114th Texas Amateur in 2023.

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to return to The Clubs at Houston Oaks for the 38th Texas Mid-Amateur,” said John Cochran IV, Director of Competitions for the TGA. “The club is committed to promoting amateur golf, and we are honored to be back at this exceptional facility and working together with their staff in conducting a truly memorable championship.”

The Clubs at Houston Oaks is a luxury family resort situated on nearly 1,000 acres in picturesque Waller County, about 35 miles northwest of downtown Houston, that was once home to Tennwood Golf Club. The club’s 18-hole championship course was designed by Chet Williams and opened for play in 2017 following an extensive 17-month reimagining and overhaul of the existing property. Williams’ stunning 7,007-yard, par-71 layout is framed by groves of centuries-old oak trees, natural water features and vast native areas. With a wonderful variety of long and short holes, doglegs, rolling fairways and large green complexes, Houston Oaks is certain to test every facet of a player’s game and identify a worthy champion.

“We’re really excited about having the Texas Mid-Amateur here, and the course will be in excellent condition,” said Nick Holligan, Houston Oaks’ Head Golf Professional. “We’re proud to host the TGA’s big amateur championships and are going to do our best to put on a good show and make sure everyone enjoys their time at Houston Oaks.”

The Texas Mid-Amateur is open to male amateurs with a World Handicap System Index of 8.4 or less, have reached the age of 25 by the tournament start date and are current Texas residents.

This year’s starting field will include 132 players, who earned entry into the championship through an exemption category or 18-hole sectional qualifying at one of 13 sites across the state from July 7 – Sept. 1.

Format for the championship is 54 holes individual stoke play. All contestants will play 18 holes Sept. 10-11. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 players and ties heading into the final round. In addition to the overall champion, an award will be given to the Low Mid-Master (40-plus years of age).

At the 2020 Texas Mid-Amateur, held at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Ryan O’Rear of Leander drained an 8-foot birdie putt on the seventh playoff hole to win the title over two-time champion and host club member Colby Harwell. The two players were tied at the end of regulation play with 3-under-par 210 totals. Padden Nelson of Houston finished in third place, and also earned Low Mid-Master recognition, with a 2-under 211 total.

Both O’Rear and Harwell are set to compete at Houston Oaks and will be joined by five other Texas Mid-Amateur past champions. They are Christopher Wheeler of Addison (2019), Josh Irving of Dallas (2016), Clay Hodge of Bryan (2013), Beau Davis of Abilene (2011) and Rob Couture of Dallas (2008).

Among the other notable players who will be vying for the title include 2020 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler, 2020 Texas Senior Amateur champion John Derrick of Waco, 2020 Texas Senior Player of the Year Mike Lohner of Southlake and 2020 South Regional Player of the Year Kevin Liberto of Cypress.

Live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings, will be available at txga.org once the action gets underway from The Clubs at Houston Oaks.

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Ryan O’Rear Wins 37th Texas Mid-Amateur

 SAN ANTONIO – Ryan O’Rear won the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur late Sunday afternoon after defeating two-time champion Colby Harwell on the seventh sudden-death playoff hole at Oak Hills Country Club. The 29-year-old from Leander captures the victory with a 72-hole total of 3-under 210.

Before one of the most historic sudden-death playoffs in TGA history, O’Rear’s final round was nothing short of impressive. The former Baylor University standout started with four-straight bogeys and was seven shots behind the leaders. However, he birdied the par-5 fifth and something clicked. The rest of his round was the best golf of the week.

O’Rear birdied the par-4 eighth and par-3 ninth to turn at 1-over 36. He eagled the par-5 10th and carried his momentum throughout his closing loop. After carding four more birdies on his back nine to card a bogey-free 5-under 30, O’Rear was in the clubhouse with a one-stroke lead.

“It was a roller coaster,” O’Rear said. “Obviously, it wasn’t a very good start. But my caddy did a great job today of just keeping me positive. On the back nine, I don’t really know what happened. I started hitting it close and making a lot of birdies and somehow got in a playoff.”

Harwell, who played one group behind O’Rear, carded five birdies and posted the second lowest round of the day with 4-under-par 67. The two-time Texas Mid-Amateur champion and Oak Hills member also posted 3-under 210 through 54 holes.

After the last few groups finished, O’Rear and Harwell headed to the 18th tee for a sudden-death playoff. Both players made par and the battle was off and running. O’Rear and Harwell traded punch for punch for the next hour and 15 minutes. On the seventh playoff hole, O’Rear left himself a seven-foot birdie putt up the hill. He buried it to clinch the victory.

“That was a great playoff,” O’Rear. “I’ve known Colby for a long time and played a lot of golf with him. He had a great week and it was a great battle.”

Harwell adds this runner-up finish to his wins in 2017 and 2018. He’s also a two-time champion of the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play (2017, 2019). The highly touted amateur was very complimentary of O’Rear’s game.

“That playoff is exactly why we still come out here and play,” Harwell said. “Ryan is a really good player. It was very impressive, but honestly I expected it.”

Finishing solo third and earning low-mid master honors was Padden Nelson of Houston. The 40-year-old carded a closing 4-over 75 to post 2-under-par 211 overall. Blake Parks of Odessa, Danny Simmerman of Shavano Park, Justin Kaplan of Houston and Johnathan Schnitzer of Houston shared fourth place at 1-under 212.

The TGA extends sincere appreciation to Oak Hills, its attentive staff and engaged membership, as well as our volunteers for all their help and support ahead of and during the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur.

Extra special thanks to Director of Golf and Club Operations Cary Collins, Head Golf Professional Ryan Polzin, Director of Agronomy Jeff Visser and his amazing grounds crew, Food and Beverage Director Santiago Vasquez and Executive Chef Dennie Upton. The 37th Texas Mid-Amateur would not have been possible without their efforts.

For more information on the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur, click here.

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Padden Nelson Holds Lead at 37th Texas Mid-Amateur

SAN ANTONIO – Padden Nelson started the second round of the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur one-shot off the lead. Following a 2-under-par 69 and one of the few rounds in red figures on Saturday, the 40-year-old mid-amateur from Houston holds a three-shot advantage headed into the Sunday’s final round at Oak Hills Country Club.

Padden, who teed off in the morning wave, flared his opening tee shot into the right trees on the par-5 10th. He punched it back into the fairway and left himself 122 yards for his approach. Padden smoothed his 52-degree wedge and, not even realizing it, holed-out for eagle to begin his second round.

“I didn’t even really see it go in,” Padden said. “The guys in front of us did, but pretty good for the putting stats.”

He carried the momentum from his great start throughout his round. On a day playing tougher for the field compared to Round 1, Padden carded three birdies and three bogeys to card one of 10 rounds under par.

“It was kind of the same thing as yesterday,” Padden said. “Hit one shot at a time. I made a couple pretty good length putts for par and just kind of hung in there.”

Padden seeks his first TGA major championship victory, but as for preparation for the final round he plans to keep it lose.

“I plan to drink a couple beers, watch some college football, have a good lunch and good dinner and that’d be about it,” Padden said.

Sitting in solo second and three shots behind Nelson is Houston’s Johnathan Schnitzer. The former Texas Longhorn carded eight birdies en route to a 7-under-par 64 and jumped 53 spots up the leaderboard. It was the low round of the day by four strokes and he’ll look carry the momentum into Sunday’s final round.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a final group, so it’s good to get the feeling back,” Schnitzer said. “I’m just going to go out there and try and have fun and be patient. There’s a lot of opportunities out  here and you have to know they are going to come if you be patient.”

The defending champion Chris Wheeler of Addison is tied third with Oak Hills member Brett Nichols at 2-under-par 140. Wheeler closed out his second round with a bogey-free 2-under 33 on his final nine highlighted by a 20-foot birdie on the par-3 ninth. He will look to become the third player in history to win back-to-back Texas Mid-Amateur titles.

“Obviously, those guys ahead of me are playing great golf and I’m happy to be in the last group,” Wheeler said. “It is always the goal to win when you tee it up, but yeah I don’t want to let go of that trophy.”

Nichols played his closing 15 holes in 3-under par and attributed his great play over the past two days to local knowledge.

“It is pleasant to see how the golf course is withstanding the best mid-am players in the state of Texas,” Nichols said. “We have a lot of fun out here and there’s a lot of support for our members to play well in this.”

Sean Heidrick of Plano and Blake Parks of Odessa are tied fifth at 1-under-par 141, while three players sit in seventh at even par including Oak Hills member Danny Simmerman, 2015 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Justin Kaplan of Houston and 2020 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler.

Through two rounds, there are only six players under par for the championship. The field played Oak Hills from 6,687 yards in Round 2 and 57 players made the 36-hole cut at 8-over 150 or better.

The third round of the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur begins Sunday at 8 a.m. at Oak Hills. For more information on this championship, click here.

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Austen Fulmer Leads 37th Texas Mid-Amateur

SAN ANTONIO – Austen Fulmer of Austin holds the first-round lead of the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur after turning in a brilliant 5-under-par 66 at the historic Oak Hills Country Club.

Fulmer, who qualified for the championship with a 73 at the Lighthouse Country Club, made four birdies on his opening nine to card a bogey-free 4-under-par 32. He didn’t slow down on his closing loop. Fulmer made a clutch up and down for par on the par-4 first hole to continue the momentum. His only bogey of the day came on the par-4 eighth, but it didn’t rattle the 38-year-old mid-am.

Fulmer hit his tee shot on the par-3 ninth to 15 feet and drained the putt for birdie to post 5-under.

“It’s just one shot at a time,” said Fulmer, who is playing in his first Texas Mid-Amateur. “I think you play golf 18 individual times with the way the game is scored. So, honestly I play one at a time.”

Fulmer didn’t play college golf but has been playing in competitive amateur events for several years. He’ll carry a one-shot lead into Saturday’s second round over Padden Nelson.

“Oh, now I’m more nervous about tomorrow,” said Fulmer with a laugh. “If I had been three or four over I would have been comfortable. But now that I’m 5-under heading into tomorrow, yeah I’ll be more nervous.”

Foremost among those chasing Fulmer is Nelson. The Houston resident carded six birdies as well in his opening round to go along with two bogeys. Nelson, a former collegiate golfer at Newman University, says he’ll try to remain patient throughout the next two days of the championship.

“You don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” Nelson said. “There’s way too many golfers to worry about where your standing.”

Among the top of the leaderboard is Will Dennis of Fort Worth and Sean Heidrick of Plano. They will begin Saturday two shots back of Fulmer after rounds of 3-under-par 68.

Colby Harwell, a two-time Texas Mid-Amateur champion (2017-18) and Oak Hills Country Club member, is tied fifth with Zach Winkler of Prosper. Harwell and Winkler carded rounds of 2-under-par 69.

A total of eight players are within four shots of Fulmer with 36 holes to play.

This is the first Texas Mid-Amateur contested at Oak Hills Country Club, which has a long history of playing host to TGA major championships. Most recently, in 2016 the club hosted the 107th Texas Amateur, won by Frederick Wedel. Oak Hills was also the site of the 2015 Texas Senior Amateur and 2013 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, both won by Mike Booker.

Founded in 1922, Oak Hills was designed by A.W. Tillinghast. The renowned golf course architect’s strategic design philosophy has stood the test of time and is evident throughout Oak Hills. Tree-lined fairways, bunker-protected greens and contoured putting surfaces are elegantly combined to demand the most from a golfer’s shot-making and course management skills.

Over the years numerous upgrades have been made at Oak Hills, and in 2017, Tripp Davis completed an extensive $6.5 million restoration that has improved playing conditions, fortified the course’s original design elements and revitalized its natural beauty. The first round of the Texas Mid-Amateur was played from 6,729 yards.

Defending champion Chris Wheeler of Addison posted an even par 71. He’s tied for ninth place with seven others, including this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler.

The second round of the Texas Mid-Amateur starts Saturday at 8 a.m. For more information, click here.