The top 5 golf tournaments for Mid-Masters

December 20, 2023 | by Chris Brauner of AmateurGolf.com

The Trans-Miss Mid-Master was played at Hacienda CC in 2023

The 40-54 age group is a 'tweener' demographic group; not yet senior but older than the recent college grads and reinstated ams

TRANS-MISSISSIPPI MID-MASTER
Various Sites across the central and western U.S.

The 40-54 age group is somewhat of a "tweener" demographic group; not yet senior but older than the recent college grads and reinstated ams. The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association is among the most prominent golf associations to serve this demographic, expanding its popular senior championship to include a Mid-Master division in 2018. In 2024, the TMGA split off the Mid-Master into its own event with a separate division for mid-amateurs.

The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association moves the championship around the central and western U.S. where the bulk of its member clubs are found. Players must be members of TMGA member clubs, although non-members may make an individual contribution of $100 minimum to the Turf Scholarship Fund as part of the entry process, in lieu of club membership.

More information about the Trans-Miss Mid-Master & Mid-Amateur Championship

THE SUNNEHANNA MID-MASTER
Sunnehanna Country Club, Johnstown, PA

In 1954, the Sunnehanna Amateur was first played and soon became a major of amateur golf. After 50 years, a senior championship was introduced, and in 2020 a Mid-Master division was added. It didn't hurt that the first-ever mid-master champion was 4-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Nathan Smith.

The mid-master division started out small, but new tournament director John Bearrie plans to put more emphasis on it starting with the 2024 tournament. The course is a classic A.W. Tillinghast design that fans out in all directions from an elevated clubhouse on a scenic rolling Western Pennsylvania property.

More information about the Sunnehanna Senior & Mid-Master

DIXIE MID-MASTER
Eagle Trace Golf Club, Coral Springs, FL

The senior version of the Dixie Amateur Championship added a Mid-Master division starting in 2019. Of all the mid-master events that have popped up in recent years, the Dixie has attracted the most diverse field, with players from 10 states as well as Canada and Scotland competing in 2023.

The course, Eagle Trace Golf Club, was a PGA Tour stop for nine years in the 80s and 90s, and remnants of the stadium mounding seen at former TPC courses can be seen around the 18th hole. It is still a stiff championship test, and the tournament is played at a time when the rest of the U.S. is getting colder but Florida remains sunny and warm.

More information about the Dixie Senior & Mid-Master

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MASTER-40 CHAMPIONSHIP
Various Sites across the (surprise) Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association was ahead of its time when it introduced its championship for the 40+ age group in 1976. Buzz Edmonds, nicknamed "The Legend" for his golf exploits in his home state of Washington and beyond, was the first champion and in 2017 Erik Hanson became the winningest champion with his 4th title.

Among the major mid-master events in the U.S., the Pacific Northwest Master-40 is the only one to be played at match play. 36 holes of stroke play qualifying determine a bracket of 32 players for match play. The championship rotates around sites across the Pacific Northwest (Washingon, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia), and players must either be members of PNGA clubs or receive a Presidential Invitation from the association.

More information about The Pacific Northwest Master-40 Amateur

THE FLORIDA 40 & OVER CHAMPIONSHIP
Various Sites in Florida

The Florida State Golf Association appears to be a trendsetter for the mid-master age demographic, having created its championship for players 40 and over way back in 1969. Originally known as the "Life at 40" (and later "Life Begins at 40") Tournament, William Gannaway was the first champion after rain shortened the event to 36 holes. The prize was a silver tray table with four goblets.

The tournament became known as the "Mid-Senior" championship in 1995 before eventually receiving its current name, the "40 & Over Championship", in 2020. For players aged 40+ who are members of FSGA member clubs (state residency is not a requirement), this is not their only opportunity at a state-level mid-master event; the FSGA also has two 40 & Over Four-Ball championships, one for North Florida players and one for South.

More information about The Florida 40 & Over Championship

MORE TOURNAMENTS FOR YOU

These are just a few of the over 3000 golf tournaments that can be found through our Tournament Finder presented by Titleist. To find the right golf tournaments for you, click on the image above.

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