Lutherville, Md. — As the Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) looks toward the beginning to the 2024 season, players can expect to see the following changes made to the follow MSGA events.
Junior Amateur & Girls’ Junior Amateur
The Maryland Junior and Girls’ Junior Amateurs will now be played concurrently as a 54-hole event with a cut after 36-holes. Information regarding the changes made to the Maryland Junior Amateur and Maryland Girls’ Junior Amateur can be found here.
Elimination of Net Division in Mid-Amateur
The Net Division of the Maryland Mid-Amateur has been removed from the championship. We encourage players to participate in the new individual One-Days at Prospect Bay and Rolling Road.
Elimination of Net Division in Senior Amateur; Addition of Mid-Master Division in Senior Amateur
The Net Division of the Maryland Senior Amateur has been removed from the championship. We encourage players to participate in the new individual One-Days at Prospect Bay and Rolling Road.
A Mid-Master Division for players ages 40-54 has been added to the Senior Amateur. Players must meet the handicap requirements. There will be a field size maximum of 21 players; entries will be approved on a first come, first served basis.
Lowering handicap index for amateurs in Women’s Open
The handicap index for all amateurs in registering to play in the Maryland Women’s Open will be reduced to 10.0 or lower. There will also be a change in how entries are processed for amateurs applying to play in the Maryland Women’s Open. Entries will be collected and then processed 3 weeks prior to the start of the championship. The amateur portion of the field will be filled with the lowest handicaps as of Friday, September 13. Any remaining players will be added to a waitlist. This process will be the same for the Senior Division.
Combining Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur
The Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Senior Amateur will now be held concurrently. The championship will be a shotgun start followed by lunch and awards. The age for the Women’s Mid-Amateur has been lowered to 25.
Creation of Two-Woman Shamble
The Two-Woman Shamble has been created to provide women of all playing abilities a fun event to experience playing opportunities within the MSGA. This event will be held Friday, August 2nd at Sparrow’s Point CC.
Player of the Year Points
The structure and number of points awarded for Player of the Year in all categories has been adjusted. To be eligible for the Player of the Year award in any category, a player must have competed in at least one (1) multi-day MSGA championship (Amateurs, Opens, Junior, etc.).
Men’s Player of the Year Points
Women’s Player of the Year Points
Exemption into U.S. Amateur for Maryland Amateur champion
The winner of the 2024 Maryland Amateur will be fully exempt into the 2024 U.S. Amateur. The 2024 Champion and Runner-Up will be locally exempt for the 2025 U.S. Amateur.
2025 Maryland Amateur & Maryland Open Exemptions
The MSGA Tournament & Competitions Committee will review the number of exemptions provided during the Maryland Amateur and Maryland Open this coming fall. Exemption categories for 2025 may be altered because of this review.
