At 63, is Michael Hughett the oldest state mid-am champ ever?

By Ken Macleod of Golf Oklahoma In 23 previous victories in Oklahoma Golf Association championships, Mike Hughett’s normal reaction was to offer an almost sheepish smile, shake hands and congratulate his opponent. The 24th was dramatically different. Rolling in a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a three-man playoff in the OGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Hillcrest Country Club, Hughett launched into a Tigeresque fist pump, then shortly after burst into tears. “This one was for Matt,” he said of his 36-year-old son Matt Hughett, who passed away May 21 after suffering two years with brain cancer. “I could feel him up there watching me and pulling for me. I had no doubt I was going to make that putt, none.” > Read the rest of the story HERE. Hughett's win sparks the question: is he the oldest player to win a state mid-amateur? The closest we could find was Dave Szewczul, who won the Connecticut Mid-Amateur at age 62 and the Connecticut Public Links at age 63. Last year, Gene Elliott won the Iowa Mid-Amateur at age 59 and Bob Royak won the Georgia Mid-Amateur at age 59. If anyone is aware of someone older than Hughett winning a non-senior state amateur championship, please let us know UPDATE: Just a day after we posted this story, Tom Brandes won the Washington Mid-Amateur one month before his 66th birthday. Two amazing performances within two days of each other!