As the second edition of the East West Matches approaches, a quick review of the inaugural competition in 2020 when Patrick Christovich of the West Team made an
improbable match-winning par save on the 18th green points to the spirit of amateur golf that is the motto of the event.
“It was amazing for it to come down to the last hole and the last group and the last shot and the shot that he made. There was no way he was going to get it close,” said 2020 West captain Jim Holtgrieve. “What the event did was bring love and camaraderie. It couldn’t have been any
better and you know I get emotional about these amateur team events.”
The motto of the Matches states that the vision of the competition is “promoting the amateur
game by bringing the best amateurs in the United States together for highly competitive
matches and camaraderie in its purest form.
The second edition of the East West Matches is set for Nov. 4-6 at Maridoe Golf Club in
Carrollton, Texas and hopes to bring the same drama.
For further perspective, Christovich’s flop shot in 2020 stopped within ‘gimme’ distance and tied his match with four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Nathan Smith to give the West a 23-22 victory in which they overcame a large deficit by winning 12 of the 18 singles matches on the competition’s last day.
“I think the first Matches were bigger than anybody expected,” said Christovich. “I was getting
phone calls and texts and I felt awkward because it was only a half point, but it was a pretty
special moment.”
Christovich is one of 12 returning players (six from each team) and the appeal of the event is
even greater.
“I can’t wait,” said the New Orleans resident. “I am practicing more than I have in a while. I am excited about it. Most of the guys will tell you: ‘Give me a team event any time.’”
“I’m extremely excited about the second playing of the East West Matches at Maridoe,” said
West captain Kevin Marsh. “Albert Huddleston has put his heart and soul into the Club, and
Scott Harvey has done the same for this event. I’m thrilled with our West team and how many
players heard about the inaugural event in 2020 and worked so hard to make the team for this
one. We also have several 2020 West Team members who will be in attendance this year to
watch these great matches, including my assistant captain, Brady Exber. I’m looking forward to seeing Nathaniel and the banter back and forth between the players at the pairings dinners
each evening.”
East captain Nathaniel Crosby said: “I am thrilled to participate as captain in the East West
Matches this year. Staying connected with and watching the progress of the best amateurs in
the country has been a truly rewarding experience. This event is shaping into one of the few
highly coveted events for anyone to qualify for and will give each player that accomplishes this
feat a lifelong sense of accomplishment. Congrats to Albert Huddleston, who has been meticulous and dedicated to this contest as well as other amateur events that Maridoe has
hosted. Albert is a true champion for amateur golf.”
For 2022, seven players – Nick Dunlap, Scott Harvey, Doug Hanzel, Mike McCoy, Bob Royak,
Rusty Strawn, and Chad Wilfong – have won a USGA Championship. Each of the captains –
Nathaniel Crosby (East) and Kevin Marsh (West) are also USGA champions. In addition, Chip
Brooke, Evan Beck, Mark Costanza, Joe Deraney, Hanzel, Harvey, and Matt Sughrue USGA
championship runners-up.
The schedule of play is eight 18-hole four-ball matches on November 4, eight 18-hole
foursomes matches in the morning and eight 18-hole foursomes matches in the afternoon on
November 5, and 18 18-hole singles matches on November 6 with a closing celebration
following golf.
• • • • •
2022 Team Rosters
EAST
Captain: Nathaniel Crosby, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Mid-Amateurs (10)
Andrew Bailey, Cleveland, Ohio; Chip Brooke, Altamonte Springs, Fla.; Evan Beck, Virginia
Beach, Va.; Mark Costanza, Morristown, N.J.; Joe Deraney, Tupelo, Miss.; Jeromino Esteve,
Windermere, Fla.; Scott Harvey, Kernersville, N.C.; Matt Mattare, Jersey City, N.J.; Tug Maude,
Atlanta, Ga.; Chad Wilfong, Charlotte, N.C.
Seniors (6)
Doug Hanzel, Savannah, Ga.; Steve Harwell, Mooresville, N.C.; Billy Mitchell, Atlanta, Ga.;
Bob Royak, Alpharetta, Ga.; Rusty Strawn, McDonough, Ga.; Matt Sughrue, Arlington, Va.
College (2)
College (2)
Caleb Surratt, Indian Trail, N.C. (University of Tennessee), Nick Dunlap, Huntsville, Ala.
(University of Alabama)
• • • • •
WEST
Captain: Kevin Marsh, Las Vegas, Nev.
Assistant Captain: Brady Exber, Las Vegas, Nev.
Mid-Amateurs (10)
Jason Anthony, Fairfield, Calif.; Skip Berkmeyer, Town and Country, Mo.; Denny Bull, Norwalk,
Iowa; Derek Busby, Ruston, La.; Patrick Christovich, New Orleans, La.; Nick Geyer, San Diego,
Calif.; Colby Harwell, San Antonio, Texas; John Hunter, Spring, Texas; Brad Nurski, St. Joseph,
Mo.; John Sawin, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Seniors (6)
Tommy Brennan, Covington, La.; Jon Brown, Adel, Iowa; Robert Funk, Canyon Lake, Calif.
Mike McCoy, Des Moines, Iowa; John McClure, Austin, Texas; Mike Rowley, San Luis Obispo,
Calif.
College (2)
Travis Vick, Houston, Texas (University of Texas), Derek Hitchner, Minneapolis, Minn. (Pepperdine University)
• • • • •
About the East West Matches
The East West Matches, started in 2020 and played every two years, is a three-day amateur
golf competition that features a Ryder Cup-style team format for American mid-amateur and
senior competitors.
The Mississippi River is the dividing line between East and West teams, each of which is
comprised of 18 players: six seniors, at least 10 mid-amateurs, and up to two amateurs who
have not yet reached the age of 25. The inaugural competition was held at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas.
A points system is utilized to select 50 percent of each team, with the other 50 percent chosen
by the tournament committee. Teams are usually selected at the conclusion of the U.S. Mid-
Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur Championships in the year of the Matches.