Michael McCoy Completes Historic USGA Double with U.S. Senior Amateur Win
Michael McCoy etched his name into the USGA history books on Thursday with a 3-and-2 victory over Greg Sanders in the championship match of the 70th U.S. Senior Amateur at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio. With the win, the 62-year-old Iowan becomes the first golfer to capture both the U.S. Mid-Amateur (2013) and U.S. Senior Amateur titles — a historic double no player had achieved before.
McCoy, a veteran of more than 60 USGA championships, stormed out of the gates with birdies on each of the first three holes, building a commanding 3-up advantage that set the tone early. Sanders, the 61-year-old Arizona resident and 11-time Alaska State Amateur champion, fought back with a birdie at No. 9 and a gritty par win at 12, but McCoy’s consistency never wavered. After matching pars over 13–15, McCoy sealed the win on the 16th green with two steady putts for par.
“I’ve played in over 60 USGA events,” said McCoy. “To finally win this one — and to make history doing it — is beyond anything I could have hoped for. I love the USGA and everything it stands for.”
Decades of Dominance
McCoy’s resume is among the most decorated in amateur golf. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, and an insurance executive by trade, he has won the Iowa Golf Association’s Player of the Year award a record 11 times and has six Iowa Amateur titles to his name. He was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
On the national stage, McCoy owns titles at the British Senior Amateur (2022), Crump Cup (4 wins), Trans-Mississippi Amateur (2 wins), and has been low amateur at the U.S. Senior Open twice. He also played on the 2015 U.S. Walker Cup team and captained the 2023 team to victory at the Old Course at St. Andrews.
This win marked his 7th U.S. Senior Amateur appearance and now adds a final missing piece to his post-collegiate amateur career. He has now triumphed at the Mid-Am, Senior Am, and many of the most prestigious invitationals in amateur golf.
Final Match Recap
- Final Result: McCoy def. Greg Sanders, 3 and 2
- Key Moments: Birdies on Holes 1, 2, and 3 for early lead; match closed on Hole 16
- McCoy’s Stroke Play: 69–73 (Even par, Seeded No. 12)
- Match Play Path: Mike Lohner (R64), Matt Sughrue (R32), Rusty Strawn (R16), Michael Anderson (QF), Mike Sposa (SF)
His grandfather, Joe Kenneally, was a golf professional in Wisconsin and Iowa who competed in the inaugural Iowa Open in 1927. McCoy would go on to win that same event in 1994, adding another layer of family legacy to this storybook career.
With this latest triumph, McCoy secures exemptions into multiple future USGA events, including:
- 10 future U.S. Senior Amateurs
- 2026 U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club
- 2025 & 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateurs
- 2026 & 2027 U.S. Amateurs
- Local qualifying exemption for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
He becomes the only player in USGA history to earn both Mid-Am and Senior Amateur titles, forever securing his legacy as one of the greats in American amateur golf.
▶ View Full Scores and Match Results
McCoy, Sanders Advance to Final at Oak Hills
Two seasoned amateurs, Michael McCoy of Iowa and Greg Sanders of Arizona, will square off Thursday morning for the 70th U.S. Senior Amateur title at Oak Hills Country Club. It’s a championship match years in the making—one featuring a former Mid-Am champ chasing USGA history, and a retired petroleum engineer riding a late-career surge with quiet confidence and clutch shot-making.
McCoy One Win Away from USGA History
With a 1-up victory over Mike Sposa in Wednesday’s semifinal, 62-year-old Michael McCoy is now 18 holes away from becoming the first player to ever win both the U.S. Mid-Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur. The 2013 Mid-Am champion and 2023 Walker Cup captain weathered a tight match against longtime friend Sposa that featured five birdies and few mistakes.
McCoy made his move on the back nine, winning the 12th and 13th with birdies to take a 2-up lead. Sposa responded with a par win on 16 and a birdie on 18, but McCoy matched it with a clutch 7-footer to seal the win.
“I’ve just played pretty good,” said McCoy. “I’m driving it in play, my iron play has been pretty good, and I’ve made a few putts. Everything is in good order.”
Sanders Rolls to Final After Wild Morning Escape
On the other side of the bracket, Greg Sanders put together one of the week’s most complete performances, defeating Bob Niger 3 and 2 after a back-and-forth start. Sanders, 61, from Anthem, Arizona, built an early lead with birdies on Nos. 3 and 5, then regained control with another on No. 11 after Niger briefly closed the gap with a run of his own—including a conceded eagle on No. 10.
Earlier in the day, Sanders survived a comeback from Spain’s Jacobo Cestino, who nearly flipped their quarterfinal match after trailing 3 down through 12. Sanders held firm to win 1 up.
“Boy, I’m really excited to be in the finals,” Sanders said. “This is a happy surprise.”
Championship Match Preview
Thursday’s 18-hole final begins at 7:45 a.m. CDT. Both McCoy and Sanders are already exempt into next year’s U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club, as well as the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club. For McCoy, it’s a chance to cement his name alongside the legends of amateur golf. For Sanders, it’s the continuation of an inspired summer—and a shot at his first USGA title.
Notables
- 🏆 McCoy is attempting to become the first to win both the U.S. Mid-Am and Senior Am.
- 🇺🇸 The U.S. Senior Amateur remains the only USGA championship without an international winner after Cestino’s quarterfinal exit.
- ⛳ All four quarterfinal matches went to the 18th hole — a first in championship history.
- 🥉 Sposa and Niger earn bronze medals and exemptions into the next two U.S. Senior Amateurs.
Quarterfinals Set at U.S. Senior Amateur After Wild Day at Oak Hills
The match play bracket at the 70th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship has thinned to eight — and if Tuesday was any indication, it’ll take more than clean ball-striking to survive Oak Hills. Comebacks, extra holes, all-state showdowns, and putts from another zip code defined one of the most dramatic match play days in recent USGA memory.
Royak Wins All-Georgia Duel in 19-Hole Thriller
In a heavyweight Round of 16 clash between two USGA champions and Atlanta-area standouts, Bob Royak (Alpharetta) outlasted Jack Larkin Sr. (Atlanta) in 19 holes. Royak, the 2019 champion, came out firing with three birdies in his first five holes, only to see Larkin claw back with birdies at 7 and 9, and a leveling par at 11. After bogeying 17 to fall behind, Royak stuffed his tee shot on the par-3 18th and made birdie to extend the match. He then closed it out with a birdie on the first extra hole.
“I hit the best five shots of my life,” said Royak. “That’s match play... I’ve been playing with Jack for a long time. He’s a great player and I knew he wasn’t going to give me anything.”
Sposa Survives Kemp in Momentum-Packed Match
Former pro and 1991 Walker Cupper Mike Sposa has been rolling through a brutal draw, and Tuesday afternoon was no exception. Against medalist John Kemp
“He didn’t really do anything wrong,” said Sposa. “I just got hot two different times with the putter... That’s the match in a nutshell.”
McCoy Makes Statement Against Former Champ
In a battle of USGA titleholders, Michael McCoy (2013 Mid-Am champ and 2023 Walker Cup captain) took down 2022 Senior Am winner Rusty Strawn, 4 and 3. McCoy never trailed, opening with a winning par and stretching the lead steadily. Now into his first Senior Am quarterfinal since 2018, he looks poised to add to a decorated amateur career.
Cestino Makes History
Jacobo Cestino, a four-time Spanish Senior Men’s champ and CEO of La Zagaleta Group, became the first Spaniard to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur. He edged Bryan Hoops in 21 holes to keep his run alive. No international player has ever won the U.S. Senior Amateur — it remains the only USGA championship without a non-U.S. champion.
“I’m a super fan of golf history, tradition, and architecture,” said Cestino. “I like to dress like it’s the ‘70s — I still wear classic FootJoys.”
Anderson, Sanders, Sawaia, Niger Round Out the Eight
Michigan’s Michael Anderson continues to impress in his Senior Am debut, knocking out Tony Wise with the help of a caddie he met just days before the championship. Greg Sanders, the No. 3 seed and winner of this year’s National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame, advanced with a composed 4-and-3 win over Gene Elliott. Joe Sawaia, former coach of Yana Wilson and Brynn Kort, moved past Steven Mann and continues his Cinderella run with steady play and perspective. And Bob Niger, a NorCal stalwart and reinstated pro, beat Juan Angel to reach his first USGA quarterfinal.
What’s Next at Oak Hills
The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on Wednesday, with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m. CDT. The 18-hole championship match is set for Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Both the champion and runner-up will earn exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club. Admission is free for spectators.
📊 Live Scoring: Follow the full bracket and results from the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur at Oak Hills. Click here for updates »
Notables & Numbers
- 🎟️ All 8 quarterfinalists are now exempt into the 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur at Baltimore Country Club.
- 🌍 Cestino is the first Spaniard ever to compete in the championship — and now its first quarterfinalist.
- 🕰️ There have already been 8 matches decided in extra holes; the record is 13 (set in 2005).
- 💪 Only 2 top-10 seeds remain: Greg Sanders (No. 3) and Bob Royak (No. 9).
- ⛳ The match between John Pierce and Gene Elliott lasted 23 holes — tied for the second-longest match in championship history.
Round of 64 Recap: Tight Finishes, Extra Holes, and Power Performances
Match play opened in dramatic fashion at Oak Hills Country Club as the Round of 64 delivered a mix of dominant wins and nail-biters. Defending champion Louis Brown survived a 19-hole duel to advance, while Roger Newsom and Miles McConnell each emerged from extended matches that pushed past the 20-hole mark. Mike Finster, Jon Brown, and Steven Mann were among those making statements with runaway wins, while past champions and senior stalwarts like Michael McCoy and Todd White advanced with clinical precision.
The bracket is now down to 32 players, with several marquee matchups set to highlight Day 2. Momentum is key at Oak Hills—especially with firm greens, swirling winds, and match-play pressure mounting.
🔄 Match Play Update: Round of 32 Set at Oak Hills
Louis Brown vs. Bob Royak
Todd White vs. Jody Fanagan
Mike Finster vs. Michael Anderson
Steve Albright vs. Tony Wise
Terrence Miskell vs. Danny Nelson
Michael McCoy vs. Greg Earnhardt
Jon Brown vs. Joe Jaspers
Roger Newsom vs. Miles McConnell
Steven Mann vs. Robert F. Gerwin II
Jack Hall vs. Gordy McKeown
Greg Sanders vs. Shaw Pritchett
Rick Stewart vs. Chris Fieger
Jacobo Cestino vs. John Kennedy
Bryan Hoops vs. Daniel Sullivan
Doug Clapp vs. Jack Larkin Sr.
John Kemp vs. Trae Cassell
Round 2 Recap
England’s John Kemp completed stroke play at the U.S. Senior Amateur in style, securing medalist honors for the second consecutive year. After setting the tone with a 67 on Saturday, Kemp backed it up with a 3-under 68 on Sunday to finish at 7-under 135, two clear of the field. The performance makes him the first back-to-back medalist at the championship since Paul Simson in 2008–09 and leaves him just one shot shy of the all-time scoring record.
Iowa’s Jon Brown made the biggest move of the day, firing a brilliant 66 to finish at 5-under 137, good for solo second. Brown rattled off six birdies in his opening 10 holes and carried that momentum into match play, where he’ll look to improve on last year’s Round of 16 finish. Three players shared third at 3-under 139: Greg Sanders, who followed a 70 with a composed 69; Mike Finster, who cooled off with an even-par 71 after his strong opener; and Texan Terrence Miskell, who matched Brown with a 66 to surge into contention.
Behind the leaders, only four others managed to finish under par for stroke play: Jack Larkin Sr., Jack O’Keefe, and Steve Mann at 140, along with 2019 champion Bob Royak at 141. The cut for match play came at 7-over 149, setting up a 12-for-5 playoff on Monday morning to finalize the Round of 64 bracket. From there, match play will run through Thursday’s 18-hole final, where one player will claim the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.
With Kemp carrying the medalist mantle once again and Brown playing some of the sharpest golf in the field, the stage is set for an exciting week of head-to-head battles at Oak Hills Country Club.
Round 1 Recap
England’s John Kemp set the pace in the opening round of the U.S. Senior Amateur at Oak Hills Country Club with a 4-under 67. Taking advantage of an early morning tee time, the 2025 English Senior Men’s Open champion went bogey-free on his opening nine and recovered quickly from his lone bogey on the par-5 fifth to finish with five birdies on the day. Kemp’s disciplined approach off the tee allowed him to navigate Oak Hills’ tricky greens and earn the solo lead heading into Sunday.
Just one shot behind is Mike Finster of Saint Petersburg, Florida, who closed strong with three straight birdies on Nos. 14–16 to post a 3-under 68. Finster, a veteran of multiple USGA championships, leaned on sharp putting to stay within striking distance. Four players finished two back at 2-under, including former Walker Cup captain Mike McCoy and 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur runner-up Jody Fanagan. Defending champion Louis Brown carded a steady 70 (-1) to stay in the mix.
Local favorite Thomas Immenschuh, an Oak Hills member, had the honor of hitting the championship’s opening tee shot, while past champion Todd White carried a special “Boat Sober” pin on his bag in memory of 10-year-old Brooklyn Mae Carroll. Only six competitors chose to walk the course in the Texas heat, including 1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion Tim Hogarth. The championship, originally scheduled for Biltmore Forest in Asheville, N.C., was relocated to Oak Hills following Hurricane Helene’s impact on the region.
Oak Hills once again proved a demanding test. The par-5 10th was the only hole to play under par, averaging 4.96 and yielding four eagles. Former Oak Hills club champion Gordy McKeown shot even par, while current club champion John Pierce struggled to a 77. With stroke play concluding Sunday, the low 64 will advance to match play beginning Monday, with a playoff set if needed to decide the final spots. Match play continues through Thursday’s 18-hole final, where the 2025 champion will be crowned.
If you’ve followed AmateurGolf.com long enough, you know our bias: we love courses that ask smart questions. Oak Hills Country Club—a compact A.W. Tillinghast build framed by live oaks and shifting wind—does exactly that. At just 6,485 yards (par 71), it won’t wow you with length, but it will force elite seniors to work the ball, flight wedges, and pick the right side of fairways or pay for it.
This championship was rerouted to San Antonio after storm damage in North Carolina; the result might be a better pure-golf test for match play. Oak Hills rewards nerve and precision—two currencies that decide late-summer USGA titles.
AmateurGolf.com Takeaways
- Deceptively short = mentally long: Yardage won’t save you if you’re on the wrong tier or angle. Expect conservative lines off the tee and aggressive irons.
- Texas wind & turf: Firmness brings contours to life. Bounce-and-bite wedge play becomes a separator in stroke play and a dagger in match play.
- Match momentum: The routing tees up swing holes late—great for TV, brutal for a shaky putter.m
What to Watch in San Antonio
- Stroke Play to 64: The opening 36 favors disciplined drivers and tidy lag putters. Miss the right tiers and you’ll back up fast.
- Veteran savvy: Seniors who can underclub with conviction when the breeze kicks will own the par 3s.
- Short par 4 choices: Oak Hills tempts with position-or-push decisions. Lay back to your number or chase the front edge? Watch the leaders disagree.
Three Holes That Will Flip Matches
- No. 5 (Par 5, 588): Reachable for very few, but the second shot landing area narrows under tree canopies. Layup lanes matter more than greed.
- No. 14 (Par 4, 324): The honey trap. Play your number and trust your wedge windows. Miss short-side and you’re gifting holes.
- No. 18 (Par 3, 188): Drama club. Into wind, it demands your Sunday ball flight and a stout two-putt. Expect handshakes—and heartbreak—here.
Course Snapshot
A.W. Tillinghast (1922). Post-war revival in 1946. A veteran tour stop with Texas Open history and a recent USGA résumé. Built for shotmakers, not bashers.
- Par/Yardage: 71 / 6,485 (championship setup may vary)
- Course/Slope: 73.2 / 139 (championship setup)
- Routing personality: Demands shape control and precise spin on tilted greens.
Event Week & How to Watch On-Site
Practice: Aug. 21–22
- Sat, Aug. 23: Stroke Play (18)
- Sun, Aug. 24: Stroke Play (18) — top 64 advance
- Mon, Aug. 25: Match Play — Round of 64
- Tue, Aug. 26: Round of 32 & Round of 16
- Wed, Aug. 27: Quarterfinals & Semifinals
- Thu, Aug. 28: Championship Match (18)
Admission: Free. San Antonio golf fans—walk the ropes, learn from the best wedge games in the amateur ranks.
Defending Champ & A Form Guide
Louis Brown (61, Marietta, Ga.) arrives with the confidence that only a first USGA title provides. He earned it the hard way— high placement in stroke play, then a clinical match-play run. Oak Hills suits that profile: plotter’s tee shots, assertive approaches.
With 2,612 entries and 36 fully exempt players, the bracket will be loaded with senior-major experience and WAGR-credentialed names. Our eyes will be on the par-3 scoring average: it’s the barometer for who actually controls trajectory in the Texas air.
Strategy Notes
- Driver discipline: Don’t chase every corner. Favor full-number wedges over half-wedge guesswork.
- Trajectory toolkit: Keep a knockdown mid-iron ready. Crosswinds turn pin-high into a mirage.
- Greens savvy: Play below the hole. Short-sided chips bleed strokes; match play punishes those mistakes immediately.
Quick Facts
- Field/Format: 156 players; 36-hole stroke play to 64-player match play
- Eligibility: Age 55+; Handicap Index ≤ 5.4
- Qualifying: 50 sites in 42 states (June 25–Aug. 4)
- Prize (Exemptions): Senior Open (2026), U.S. Amateur (2026–27), 10 future Senior Ams, U.S. Mid-Am (2025–26), local exemption for 2026 U.S. Open, name on USGA Champions’ Plaque
Context: Senior Amateur & Oak Hills
The Senior Amateur has crowned serial winners and late bloomers since 1955. Oak Hills, meanwhile, is a veteran of big weeks, from Tour stops to junior and women’s four-ball titles. The connective tissue is classic Tillinghast: angles, green movement, and a quiet demand to think.
Texas has hosted a long slate of USGA championships; this is the third Senior Amateur in the state. Expect a knowledgeable crowd and firm summer turf.
Future Senior Amateur Sites (Highlights)
- 2026 – Baltimore CC (East), MD
- 2027 – Seattle GC, WA
- 2028 – Biltmore Forest CC, NC
- 2029 – The Omni Homestead (Cascades), VA
- 2030 – Country Club of North Carolina, NC
- 2032 – Country Club of Buffalo, NY
- 2033 – Canterbury GC, OH
- 2034 – Portland GC, OR
- 2035 – Columbia CC, MD
- 2036 – Belle Meade CC, TN
- 2038 – Quaker Ridge GC, NY (TBD)
Bottom line from our seat: Oak Hills is a senior-am purist’s venue—shot value over showiness, craft over clout. Expect tight matches, a few veteran masterclasses in wind management, and a champion who thinks their way home on Thursday.
