At the beginning of the year when it was first announced that the 42nd Texas Mid-Amateur presented by Hytera US would be played on the Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club in Houston, it immediately became one of the most highly anticipated events of 2025.
The excitement level that has been building up over the ensuing months is certainly easy to understand, as Champions Golf Club holds a deserved place on the select list of America’s legendary venues.
Now with the September 5-7 championship dates fast approaching the countdown is on, and the long wait is almost over.
“We could not be more thrilled to return to Champions Golf Club this year for the 42nd Texas Mid-Amateur,” said TGA Tournament Director Adam Schulte. “We are very proud of our long association with Champions and its incredible membership and look forward to building on that legacy in conducting this prestigious major championship.”
Few places have played a more profound role than Champions in setting the course of history for golf in Texas. Founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret, Champions Golf Club features 36 holes that weave through a rolling landscape of tall pine trees, creeks, and waterways. Ralph Plummer designed the Cypress Creek Course, which opened for play in 1959, and was renovated by Chet Williams in 2018. The club’s second course, the Jackrabbit Course, was designed by George Fazio in 1964 and reconstructed by Tom Fazio, George’s nephew, in 2002.
The venerable club has played host to numerous significant events over the years, including five USGA championships, five PGA Tour Championships and the1967 Ryder Cup, just to name a few. This will be the second Texas Mid-Amateur (the first was contested in 2006) and seventh overall TGA championship to be held at Champions, which most recently welcomed the 85th Texas Senior Amateur in 2022, won by host club member Sandy Pierce.
The Cypress Creek Course has long been a proven stage for some of golf’s biggest moments. Stretching to a muscular 7,410 yards from the back tees, the par-71 layout has a well-earned reputation for being tough but fair, with subtly angled drives, generous landing areas, and gently contouring slopes around the edges of the extremely large green complexes.
“From the outset, Cypress Creek was always meant to challenge the best players and that’s exactly what it does,” Schulte said. “It is a magnificent course that demands shot-making, discipline and patience, and is certain to once again produce a worthy champion.”
The starting field for the 42nd Texas Mid-Amateur presented by Hytera US will be comprised of 132 players who earned entry into the championship through an exemption category or successfully advanced out of 18-hole qualifying held at 13 sites statewide from July 28 through August 25.
Format for the championship is 54 holes individual stoke play. All contestants will play 18 holes September 5-6. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final round. In addition to the prize awarded to the overall champion, there also will be special recognition for the mid-master (players age 40 and older) returning the lowest 54-hole score.
Headlining the list of the 43 players who were exempt from qualifying is defending champion Kendrick Vinar of Richardson. Vinar carded rounds of 67-67-70 for a 9-under-par 204 total to win the 41st Texas Mid-Amateur presented by Hytera US at Denton Country Club in Argyle by four shots over Charlie Holland of Dallas, a former Texas Amateur champion.
Besides Vinar, six other Texas Mid-Amateur champions are in the starting field: Ryan O’Rear of Georgetown (2020, ’22), Frederick Janneck of Fort Worth (2021), Christopher Wheeler of Addison (2019), Colby Harwell of San Antonio (2017, ’18), Clay Hodge of Tyler (2013), and Rob Couture of Celina (2008).
Among the other notable players who were exempt from qualifying are 2025 North Regional Mid-Amateur champion Brad Mason of Dallas, 2025 South Regional Mid-Amateur champion Broc Haymon of League City, two-time Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler (2020, ’23), as well as top finishers from last year’s championship including Holland, Nickolas Martinez of Cypress (T3), Rashid Salem of Westlake (T3), Austin Jordan of Nemo (T6), Gant Bills of Plano (T6), Kolton Crawford of Azle (T8), and Marcus Jones of Argyle (T8). Salem, who finished with a 54-hole total of 4-under 209 at Denton Country Club, also earned low mid-master honors.
Throughout its 68-year history, Champions Golf Club has been a showcase for elite competitions at all levels. As the opening tee shot draws near, the best mid-amateurs from around the state know it has been well worth the wait to have the singular opportunity to vie for a TGA major championship title at the iconic venue.
For more on the 42nd Texas Mid-Amateur presented by Hytera US, click here.
