Lutherville, Md. – The 105th playing of the Maryland Amateur will take place at Columbia Country Club from June 4-7. After four qualifiers and applied exemptions, 129 players will attempt to etch their names in the Maryland golf history books. The 105th Maryland Amateur Championship is an official USGA Exemption Event which carries an exemption into the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship, to be held August 10-16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.
Reigning champion Bennett Espenshade returns to the field to defend the title.
Qualifying Rundown
A total of four qualifiers were held across the state at Beaver Creek Country Club, Pine Ridge Golf Course, Montgomery Country Club, and Queenstown Harbor (River Course) to decide the final field.
Beaver Creek Country Club (Par 72, 6823 yards)
The opening qualifier saw a total of 25 individuals secure spots for the 105th Maryland Amateur. Medalist honors were shared by Chris Navarro of Beaver Creek Country Club, Noah Wallace of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, and David Kim of Youth on Course Maryland. Each of the three fired off four or more birdies during their rounds and finished at one-under-par to secure their spots at Columbia Country Club.
Pine Ridge Golf Course (Par 71, 6730 yards)
Jack Halleron of Baltimore Country Club dominated the field with a total of eight birdies and a six-under-par 65 finish to take him to the 105th Maryland Amateur. Crofton Country Club’s Andrew Mlynarski advanced with his second-place finish and one-under-par 70 round. A total of 17 players qualified at Pine Ridge.
Montgomery Country Club (Par 71, 6633 yards)
Manor Country Club’s Rye Stinson claimed the top spot at the third qualifying event, carding a two-under-par 69 and finishing just one stroke ahead of his opponents. 2005 Maryland Amateur champion Michael Mitchell of Columbia Country Club, David Masters of Cattail Creek Country Club, and Colin St. Maxens of Columbia Country Club each tied for second place at one-under-par 70 to pave their way to the 105th Maryland Amateur.
River Course at Queenstown Harbor (Par 72, 6825 yards)
Matt Carpentier of the MSGA eClub and Kyle Gebhart of Manor Country Club shared the top spot on the leaderboard, each shooting five birdies and finishing the qualifying series with rounds of three-under-par 69. Despite rainy conditions throughout the day, a total of 25 players solidified their spots in the Maryland Amateur field.
Past Champions Return
Numerous former champions have returned to the field, including defending champion Bennett Espenshade. Other notable past winners teeing off this year are Kevin Grady (2023), Brad Whitaker (2021), Billy Peel (2020, 2019), Ben Warnquist (2017, 2015), Jay Mulieri (2009), Michael Mulieri (2008), Michael Mitchell (2005), and David Nocar (2002). Columbia Country Club also has 11 of its own members looking to win the title this year at their home club.
What’s Next
The tournament tees off with stroke-play qualifying on Thursday, June 4, followed by match play on Friday, June 5. Match play will begin with the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship, culminating on Sunday, June 7. This year’s field is varied with past champions, home-grown hopefuls, promising youth, and seasoned players, making the path to being crowned the 105th Maryland Amateur champion more rigorous than ever.
Course Facts
| Venue | Columbia Country Club |
| Opened | January 1, 1911 |
| Course Architect | Walter Travis |
| Field | 129 |
| Yardage/Par (Subject to Change) | Estimated Tournament Yardages |
| Hole by Hole (Subject to Change) | Hole 1: 402 yards (Par 4) Hole 2: 453 yards (Par 4) Hole 3: 348-421 yards (Par 4) Hole 4: 183-212 yards (Par 3) Hole 5: 545 yards (Par 5) Hole 6: 445-460 yards (Par 4) Hole 7: 322 yards (Par 4) Hole 8: 180-192 yards (Par 3) Hole 9: 460 yards (Par 4) Hole 10: 433 yards (Par 4) Hole 11: 440 yards (Par 4) Hole 12: 526 yards (Par 5) Hole 13: 135-193 yards (Par 3) Hole 14: 440 yards (Par 4) Hole 15: 427 yards (Par 4) Hole 16: 125-174 yards (Par 3) Hole 17: 323 yards (Par 4) Hole 18: 433 yards (Par 4) |
| Schedule of Play | Thursday, June 4 (Stroke Play, 18 holes) Friday, June 5 (Match Play, Round of 32 & Round of 16) Saturday, June 6 (Match Play, Quarterfinals & Semifinals) Sunday, June 7 (Match Play, Championship) |
Field Facts
| Youngest Competitor | Landon Tudor (15yrs) |
| Oldest Competitor | Tom Winegardner (65yrs) |
| Average Handicap Index | +1.72 |
| Clubs Represented | Argyle Country Club (13); MSGA eClub (13); Columbia Country Club (11); Baltimore Country Club (6); Manor Country Club (6); Beaver Creek Country Club (5); Pine Ridge Golf Course (5); Rolling Road Golf Club (5); Crofton Country Club (4); University of Maryland Golf Course (4); Youth on Course Maryland (4); Chesapeake Bay Golf Club (3); Hunt Valley Country Club (3); The Cannon Club (3); The Elkridge Club (3); Bethesda Country Club (2); Chartwell Golf & Country Club (2); Country Club of Maryland (2); Hayfields Country Club (2); Lakewood Country Club (2); Piney Branch Golf Club (2); The Club at P.B. Dye (2); The Links at Challedon (2); Turf Valley Resort (2); U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club (2); Woodmont Country Club (2); Breton Bay Golf & Country Club (1); Bretton Woods Recreation Center (1); Cattail Creek Country Club (1); Congressional Country Club (1); Cove Creek Club (1); Eagle’s Nest Country Club (1); Fountain Head Country Club (1); GlenRiddle Golf Club (1); Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (1); Hawthorne Country Club (1); Hog Neck Golf Course (1); Holly Hills Country Club (1); Norbeck Country Club (1); Nutters Crossing Golf Club (1); The Golf Club at South River (1); TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm (1); USGA/Maryland-DC GC (1); Woodholme Country Club (1); Worthington Manor Golf Club (1) |
| Past Champions | Bennett Espenshade (2025), Kevin Grady (2023), Brad Whitaker (2021), Billy Peel (2020, 2019), Ben Warnquist (2017, 2015), Jay Mulieri (2009), Michael Mulieri (2008), Michael Mitchell (2005), David Nocar (2002) |
Tee It Up: Marty West III
Director of Rules and Competitions Elisa Hermes is joined by Marty West III, a member of Columbia Country Club and a nine-time Maryland Amateur champion. Together, they explore the strategy for two of Columbia Country Club’s most scenic holes: the par-3 16th and the par-4 18th, in preparation for the 105th Maryland Amateur.
MSGA Mission
To serve, grow, and advance the game of golf in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
