The Maryland State Golf Association will host the 102nd Maryland State Open from Monday, July 10 to Wednesday, July 12, at Hillendale Country Club. Hillendale Country Club was founded in 1923; the architects were William and David Gordon. There have been a lot of changes to the course since it was initially built, including fairway bunkers, greens complexes, a driving range, and a redesign of the 13th hole and the connection of ponds on the 5th and 6th holes.
The club has hosted the Maryland State Open six times, the last being in 2009, when Matthew Bassler was crowned champion. Hillendale CC has one member playing in this year’s championship: Chris Baloga. Hillendale CC Head Professional Brian Meyer is also participating in this year’s event. The most recent MSGA Championship at Hillendale CC was the 2020 Maryland Four-Ball Championship, where Keegan Boone and Michael Mulieri were able to take home the win.
Matt Bassler won the Maryland Open when it was last held at Hillendale CC in 2009.
Keegan Boone (L) and Michael Mulieri (R) won the 2020 Maryland Four-Ball, the last MSGA championship held at Hillendale CC.
This tournament is open to male amateur members of MSGA member Clubs with and up to date USGA Index of 7.1 or less. This tournament is also open to professionals who are either Middle Atlantic PGA members or registered associates, employed by MSGA member clubs, or residents of Maryland. Four qualifying rounds have narrowed to a final field of 132, including 84 exempt players. Of these 132 golfers, seven past champions are participating in this year’s championship: Evan Katz (2022), Jake Griffin (2021), Josh Speight (2020), Sean Bosdosh (2012, 2016), David Hutsell (2011), Matt Bassler (2009) and Billy Wingerd (2007).
Defending champion Evan Katz (L) and 2022 Low Amateur and 2021 champion Jake Griffin (R) highlight the 102nd Maryland Open Championship field.
The first qualifier was held at Holly Hills Country Club on Wednesday, April 26, where Carson Looney (Bethesda Country Club) led the way with a round of 71 (-1). On Tuesday, May 2, Mountain Branch Golf Club hosted the second qualifier, with Ethan Crabb (Worthington Manor GC) finishing with the low round of the day at 69 (-1). The third qualifier, held at Country Club at Woodmore on Tuesday, May 9, was led by Aiden Tudor with a round of 70 (-2). At the final qualifier on Tuesday, May 16, at Queenstown Harbor River Course, Dugan McCabe (Bethesda Country Club) led the way after firing a 69 (-3).
Inside the Field
Tee Times
- Oldest Competitors: Dick Mast (72), Lee Flemister (63), and Tom Winegardner (62)
- Youngest Competitors: Ryan Hoffner (15), Aidan Tudor (15), and Jimmy Spallone (16)
- Average Age of Field (as of July 5): 29.6
- Lowest Amateur Handicap Index (as of July 5): Kevin Grady (+5.4), Benton Weinberg (+4.7), Rij Patel (+4.7)
- Average Handicap Index (as of July 5): +1.9
- Ricky Touma, PGA is playing in his 37th consecutive Maryland Open
- 40 MSGA Member Clubs Represented: MSGA eClub (11), Baltimore Country Club (9), Columbia Country Club (8), Bethesda Country Club (6), Chesapeake Bay Golf Club (5), Hayfields Country Club (5), The Cannon Club (5), Argyle Country Club (4), Chevy Chase Club (4), Mountain Branch Golf Course (4), Rolling Road Golf Club (4), Breton Bay Golf & Country Club (3), Congressional Country Club (3), Hobbits Glen Golf Club (3), Norbeck Country Club (3), Worthington Manor Golf Club (3), Elkridge Club (2), Hillendale Country Club (2), P.B. Dye Golf Club (2), Piney Branch Golf Club (2), Suburban Club (2), TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm (2), Woodmont Country Club (2), Blue Mash Golf Club (1), Burning Tree Club (1), Cattail Creek Country Club (1), GlenRiddle Golf Club (1), Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (1), Hunt Valley Country Club (1), Kenwood Golf & Country Club (1), Lakewood Country Club (1), Manor Country Club (1), Maryland Golf & Country Club (1), Montgomery Country Club (1), Musket Ridge Golf Club (1), Ocean City Golf Club (1), The Golf Club at South River (1), University of Maryland Golf Club (1), Waverly Woods Golf Club (1), Woodholme Country Club (1)
- 2022-2023 College Golfers (25): Lou Baker (University of Richmond), Austin Barbin (Liberty University), Evan Barbin (Liberty University), Ethan Crabb (McDaniel University), Jai Sheth (Towson University), Ford Bennett (Brown University), E. Alexander Brooks (University of Maryland Eastern Shore), Eddie Coffren (University of Lynchburg), Michael Crowley (Loyola University-Maryland), Dell Grieser (McDaniel College), Jake Griffin (Penn State University), Jack Halleron (University of Delaware), Ronnie Kim (University of Maryland), Will Koras (University of Maryland), Dugan McCabe (Colgate University), Carlo Pizzano (Loyola University-Maryland), Liam Powderly (University of Virginia), Brad Riley (Towson University), Nikita Romanov (La Salle University), Lorenzo Sanz (Loyola University-Maryland), Caleb Taylor (Drexel University), Aaron Williams (Grand Canyon University), Hank Schaefer (Mount St. Mary’s University), Pieter DeGroot (Georgetown University) and Brandon Wilson (Dickinson College)
