Editor’s Note: Competing through his U.S. Amateur Championship exemption, Sam Bennett claimed the Silver Cup at the 2023 Masters, awarded to the Low-Amateur in the field. He finished T-16 at 2-under for the tournament and gained thousands of new fans as he captivated people nationwide. Bennett became the first amateur since 2005 to finish in the top 20.
Before Sam Bennett won the 122nd U.S. Amateur last August, there were many things the fifth-year Texas A&M senior from Madisonville likely couldn’t foresee. An invitation to compete in this year’s Masters Tournament, winning low amateur honors, and a newfound stardom, for example. Add to that automatic exemptions into the U.S. Open and Open Championships that were direct results of his impressive win at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey.
Winning the most prestigious amateur championship in golf comes with big expectations. These lofty standards likely weren’t unforeseen for Bennett, though. His stellar performance at The Masters earlier this month shouldn’t have come as a surprise either. Entering the U.S. Amateur last summer, he was the No. 3 player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings® and lacked no confidence. Bennett notably stated during the championship that he was the best player in the field and backed up his words with a stellar week to hoist the Havemeyer Trophy.
Texas A&M golf coach Brian Kortan was Bennett’s caddie at the 122nd U.S. Amateur (and the 2023 Masters) and had a front row seat to it all. He watched Bennett position himself well in stroke play qualifying and then mow down competitor after competitor in the match play rounds.
“It’s really hard to put into words,” Kortan said. “When you watch somebody do something that he was able to do that week, it was so special. To put into words is probably unfair for the experience. To see him pull through and run through that gauntlet of players and stand up and say, ‘I’m ready for this,’ and to be part of that – I’m glad I was there.”
Bennett continued his strong play this season for the Aggies; he currently sits in fourth place in the PGA Tour University rankings.
While many things may or may not have been foreseen by Bennett after his victory, one thing certainly couldn’t have been predicted. Traditions Club, home to the Texas A&M men’s and women’s golf teams, will host a U.S. Amateur Qualifier on July 10. Ten months after Bennett solidified his place in golf history, the course where he is a member and hones his game daily will present an opportunity for others to do the same.
Bennett won’t play in the qualifier, of course. His victory last year affords him exempt status into this year’s U.S. Amateur; however, multiple reports indicate Bennett likely will turn professional following the conclusion of the collegiate season.
Bryan Minnick, Head Golf Professional at Traditions echoes the uniqueness of the opportunity to host a qualifier following Bennett’s win.
“It’s cool for our club and members in knowing the reigning champion is a member at our club,” Minnick said. “I think it brings a lot of interest into the qualifying event and seeing who might come out of our site.”
Bennett’s win has brought a new sense of pride to the longtime TGA Member Club as Minnick has noticed.
“Everybody takes pride in his win and that one of our own won one of the biggest tournaments in the country,” Minnick said. “Obviously, when he’s around the club, everybody is aware of whether he’s playing golf or practicing or just in the locker room. Everybody’s aware when he’s around. The club and the members take pride in Sam and what his accomplishment was.”
Looking ahead, Traditions provides a fantastic test for even the best players and should prove to be valuable experience for whomever qualifies out of the site.
“It’s a very challenging golf course,” Minnick said. “It can play as hard as we want to make it play. Other than that, we have varying terrain. You’re not always on a flat lie and that can be very challenging for your second shots. As most Nicklaus-designed courses are, this is a second shot golf course. If you’re missing your second shots around the green, it gets very challenging.”
Kortan also shares excitement about the qualifier and expects some of his players to be in the field.
“I grew up playing those qualifiers at local places,” Kortan said. “It’s nice to have them at home. We’ll have some guys that will come play in it and try to qualify. Traditions is a great test. You’re not going to be able to luck into qualifying around here. You’re going to have to play some good golf.”
If last year’s U.S. Amateur and the upcoming one have taught us anything, it’s that one way or another the road runs through Traditions Club in Bryan-College Station. It’s where Sam Bennett developed his game on the pathway to winning the 122nd U.S. Amateur. Will a qualifier from the Traditions site follow in his footsteps and capture the 123rd edition at Cherry Hill Country Club outside of Denver? Find out this summer!