Final Round Recap (Sunday, November 9)

Nate Gahman of Albany, Ga., closed with a brilliant 67 (-3) at Palmetto Golf Club to win the 50th Palmetto Amateur Invitational at 6-under 204. Gahman separated himself from a crowded leaderboard with a scorching back-nine 31 on the final day, turning a one-shot deficit into a one-shot victory over local favorite Miles Eubanks of Warrenville, S.C.

Starting the day two shots off the lead, Gahman played steady golf through the front nine before igniting on the inward stretch with four birdies in his final eight holes. His combination of precision off the tee and confident putting carried him to the title in one of the Southeast’s most tradition-rich amateur events.

Eubanks, who led after the opening round and shared the 36-hole lead, finished runner-up at 205 (68-68-69) after another composed round that fell just short. Charles Cauthen (Columbia, S.C.) placed third at 207, followed by Sam Jackson (West Columbia, S.C.) at 208. Nick Maccario (Atlanta, Ga.) and Chandler Mulkey (John’s Island, S.C.) tied for fifth at even-par 210.

Gahman’s closing stretch at the historic Aiken layout—featuring birdies on 10, 13, 15 and 17—proved decisive. His win caps a week that celebrated both the tournament’s 50-year legacy and the enduring challenge of Palmetto’s classic design.

Round 2 Recap (Saturday, November 8)

Scoring conditions improved in Round 2 of the 50th Palmetto Amateur at Palmetto Golf Club, with several players taking advantage of a perfect fall day in Aiken, South Carolina. Charles Cauthen of Columbia, S.C., and Miles Eubanks of Warrenville, S.C., share the lead at 4-under 136 through 36 holes.

Cauthen carded a 66 (-4) to match Eubanks, who followed his opening 68 with another 68. Both will begin Sunday’s final round one stroke clear of Nate Gahman (Albany, Ga.) and Chandler Mulkey (John’s Island, S.C.), who also fired 66s to climb into contention.

Gareth Steyn (67) of Blacksburg, Va., and John Eades (68) of Charlotte, N.C., are tied for fifth at even-par 140, while Sam Jackson (68) of West Columbia, S.C., and Adam “AJ” Hovermale Jr. (71) of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., sit another shot back at 1-over 141.

Ten players broke par on Saturday as the firm, classic Donald Ross layout rewarded precision. Eubanks, a junior at the College of Charleston and former South Aiken High standout, finished third in last year’s Palmetto Amateur. Cauthen, a freshman at the University of Kentucky, is seeking his first major amateur title.

Round 1 Recap (Friday, November 7)

Miles Eubanks of Warrenville, South Carolina, carded an opening-round 68 (-2) to take the early lead at Palmetto Golf Club. The College of Charleston standout used home-course familiarity to his advantage on a day when only two players broke par.

Just one shot back is Nick Maccario (Atlanta, GA) after a 69 (-1), followed by a five-way tie at even par 70 that includes Ben Kendrick (Lexington, KY), Jordan Sease (Columbia, SC), Charles Cauthen (Columbia, SC), Preston Hage (Raleigh, NC), and Adam “AJ” Hovermale Jr. (Lakewood Ranch, FL).

The firm, elevated greens and strategic bunkering at Palmetto demanded precision throughout the day. The field averaged just over 74 strokes on the par-71, 6,695-yard layout, emphasizing the course’s classic Donald Ross bite.

About the Palmetto Amateur

First played in the 1970s, the Palmetto Amateur has long been one of the Southeast’s most prestigious invitational tournaments. The event is played annually at Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, South Carolina—a course known for its small, undulating greens and classic strategic design. In 2005, current tournament director Dane Burkhart made history by shooting a 59 en route to victory, while Jordan Sease claimed the 2024 title with rounds of 66–68 to close.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Palmetto Amateur, a milestone celebrating five decades of elite amateur competition at one of America’s oldest golf clubs. The 2025 field features standout players from top collegiate programs and mid-am ranks, each vying to etch their names alongside past champions on the storied Palmetto trophy.