By Brian R. Mahoney, Executive Director/CEO
Dear U.S. Curtis Cup Selection Committee,
I write on behalf of the Metropolitan Golf Association to offer our enthusiastic support for Ina Kim-Schaad as a candidate for the 2026 Curtis Cup Team. Ina’s record, leadership, and ongoing contributions to amateur golf make her an exceptional representative of the women’s game and an ideal choice for inclusion on your roster.
As followers of all things amateur golf, we have been inspired by Ina’s remarkable 2025 season – one that stands among the finest in our region. While much has rightly been said about our Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year, Ina’s accomplishments deserve equal recognition. Her consistency, composure, and competitive success throughout the season have reaffirmed her standing among the nation’s elite amateurs.
Since the USGA’s forward-thinking decision in 2013 to include mid-amateur representation on the Walker Cup Team, there has been a meaningful acknowledgment of the enduring excellence of players who continue to compete (and lead) well beyond their collegiate years. We believe the time is right to extend that same commitment to the Curtis Cup, and Ina Kim-Schaad embodies precisely the qualities such representation would honor.
Ina’s résumé speaks for itself: U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion, multiple national and regional titles, and an unwavering record of success at the highest levels of competition. Yet beyond what appears on paper, her character, sportsmanship, and leadership in international team competitions truly distinguish her. Over the past decade, she has represented the MGA with distinction in both the French-American Challenge and the Carey Cup, consistently elevating the quality, camaraderie, and competitive spirit of every team she joins.
It’s also worth noting that Captain Meghan Stasi, a dear friend and longtime supporter of the women’s amateur game, has seen Ina up close and can personally attest to her exceptional leadership, team-first mindset, and championship poise. Few are better positioned to appreciate what Ina brings to a team environment than Meghan herself, whose own record as a champion and leader mirrors many of Ina’s best traits.
Ina is a fighter, a champion, and a trusted teammate – someone who embodies the very best of amateur golf. Her experience, professionalism, and example would enrich the 2026 Curtis Cup Team in every respect.
For these reasons and many more, I offer my strongest endorsement that Ina Kim-Schaad be given full consideration for selection to the upcoming Curtis Cup Team.
With great respect and appreciation,