Grayson Goes Wire-to-Wire to Capture 2025 Berkeley Cup
Grayson entered the final round with a two-shot lead and never looked back, mixing steady ball striking with patient course management on a challenging Sunday layout. His even-par 72 was enough to secure a comfortable victory and cap a weekend of consistent, composed golf.
Lucas Armstrong finished second at 2-over 218 after closing with a 76, while Tyler LeRoy took third at 222 (+6). Rounding out the top five were Andy Labanauskas and Bill Dukes at 223 (+7).
Defending champion Taylor Smith finished in a tie for sixth at 224 (+8), unable to mount a Sunday charge but earning another top-10 finish at his home club.
With the win, Grayson adds his name to the Berkeley Cup’s growing list of standout Mid-Amateur champions, closing out one of Georgia’s premier fall events with poise and precision.
The Berkeley Cup returns to Berkeley Hills Country Club this weekend, bringing together one of the strongest Mid-Amateur and Senior fields in Georgia. The 54-hole invitational has become a fixture of the late-season schedule, offering a pure test of golf over three rounds on the club’s championship layout.
Leading the way is defending champion Taylor Smith, who went wire-to-wire in 2023 on his home course. Smith, a former Georgia Mid-Amateur Champion and current Berkeley Hills club champion, used an opening-round 68 to seize control last year and never relinquished it. His victory was marked by 13 birdies over three days and a signature closing stretch that included four straight birdies to finish his first round.
This week, Smith looks to defend his title against a familiar group of challengers, including 2023 runner-up Matt Epperson, Daniel Keddie, and a host of top Georgia and Southeastern Mid-Am players.
A Tradition of Competitive Excellence
The Berkeley Cup has earned its reputation for drawing a field deep in both talent and camaraderie. The Mid-Amateur Division features a mix of former collegiate standouts and proven state champions, while the Senior Division once again welcomes many of the region’s most decorated over-55 competitors.
The event’s format remains true to its roots — 54 holes of stroke play, no cut, and a committee-selected field based on playing record and handicap. The rolling terrain and demanding green complexes at Berkeley Hills provide a balanced challenge that rewards patience as much as precision.
What’s at Stake
For the Mid-Amateur field, the Berkeley Cup offers more than just local bragging rights. It has evolved into one of the premier regional tests of fall golf — a proving ground for elite amateurs looking to close out the season with momentum.
In the Senior Division, 2023 champion Mike Combs will aim to defend his title after a dominant 12-shot victory last year. He’ll face a strong group of veterans ready to challenge for the cup.
About the Berkeley Cup
The Berkeley Cup, hosted annually by Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Georgia, is a 54-hole individual stroke play championship featuring Mid-Amateur and Senior divisions. With no cut and selection based on competitive credentials, it stands as one of the purest and most respected amateur golf events in the Southeast.
Follow AmateurGolf.com all weekend for live scoring, daily recaps, and full championship results from Berkeley Hills.