After a long and sometimes rainy week in Manakin Sabot, Virginia, the U.S. Mid-Amateur is down to two players. Both are former professional golfers who have found redemption in competitive amateur golf.

Local favorite Evan Beck of Virginia Beach -- ranked No. 5 in the AmateurGolf Mid-Am Rankings -- will play No. 13 Bobby Massa in Thursday's 36-hole final at Kinloch Golf Club.

Beck, 34, a former standout at Wake Forest University, secured his spot after earning co-medalist honors with Segundo Oliva Pinto. Massa, hailing from Dallas, Texas, might be considered the Cinderella of this dance despite the fact that he is competing in his third U.S. Mid-Amateur and advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive time last year. 

But Massa has one thing that might make all the difference in a 36-hole match play final at a course as demanding as Kinloch. Explosive length.

"I'm not a long hitter, but he hit it by me by 40-50 yards all day," said Jordan Utley, who lost to Massa in the round of 16 on a wet day where length made all the difference.

"He's got an extra gear and is probably the longest player I've ever competed against," added Utley.

If you watched the U.S. Amateur on television, you might remember the commentators' discussion of 36-year-old Massa, the personal trainer who finally bowed out to eventual champion Josele Ballester of Spain. He is in incredible shape and longer than the average Tour player and can also find narrow fairways. The rest of his game holds up under pressure, as well.

Beck, for his part, has all the tools in his bag and an envious Mid-Amateur track record -- after gaining his amateur status back -- that includes wins at the most significant events, on the most demanding stages. This year alone, Beck took home trophies at the George C. Thomas Invitational at Los Angeles Country Club and the Coleman Invitational at Florida's legendary Seminole Golf Club.

The stakes couldn't be higher, at least on the Mid-Am level. The winner will receive a "likely" invitation to The Masters. Should Beck be the person holding the trophy, it will give him one more notch toward a potential spot on the 2025 USA Walker Cup team. That position has been held down by Stewart Hagestad, the 2023 U.S. Mid-Am champion (over runner-up Beck, no less). Also on the line:

An exemption into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Mid-Amateurs and the next two U.S. Amateurs.

ROAD TO THE FINAL

Each has been one hole away from defeat throughout the week. Both players faced elimination in the round of 16 by going to extra holes, eventually coming out on top. The two will face off at 7:10 AM EDT. Conditions should be mundane, with temperatures reaching a high of 80 and mostly cloudy skies.

Beck's Route
#2 Seed (Co-Medalist): Rounds of 68-65
R64: Def. Cody Paladino, 5 and 3
R32: Def. Jackson Spires, 1 up
R16: Def. Michael Buttacavoli, 21 holes
R8: Def. Connor Doyal, 1up
R4: Def. Stephen Behr Jr, 5&3

Massa, 36, is a personal trainer who works with golf speed and stability, from weekend players to professional athletes. This training shows in his driving performance, known to be one of the longest players in the field.  A former touring professional, Massa regained his amateur status in 2019.

Massa's Route
#8 Seed: Rounds of 67-68
R64: Def. Doug Albers, 7 and 5
R32: Def. Jordan Utley, 4 and 3
R16: Def. Brian Blanchard, 20 holes
R8: Def. Josh Persons, 2&1 
R4: Def. Drew Kittleson, 4&3