Folds of Honor Friday at Big Cedar Kicks Off Independence Open Weekend

The 2026 Folds of Honor Friday at Big Cedar Lodge’s Mountain Top Course once again proved why it has become one of the most anticipated traditions on the Amateur Players Tour calendar. Serving as the opening event to Independence Open weekend, players from across the country gathered in the Ozarks to celebrate America, support an incredible cause, and experience one of golf’s most unique venues before the weekend’s championship began.

Designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player in partnership with Johnny Morris, Mountain Top is unlike any other course on the APT schedule. The walking-only, 13-hole par-3 layout winds through towering rock formations and native Ozark landscape while offering breathtaking views from nearly every tee box. Though the scorecard may appear short, the course demands precision, creativity, and confidence on every swing, rewarding players who control their distance and punish those who don’t. (Big Cedar Lodge)

Just as importantly, the annual Folds of Honor Friday continues to highlight what makes the Amateur Players Tour about more than just tournament golf. Every year, players come together to support the mission of Folds of Honor, helping provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled military service members and first responders. The event has become a meaningful way to begin Independence Day weekend while giving back to those who have sacrificed so much.

The heat was strong, but so was the competition as it unfolded!

In Division 1, APT CEO and Managing Partner Matt Minder put together a steady round of 1-over 40 to claim the victory.

Division 2 featured one of the strongest fields of the day, with Chris Van Spankeren (Central Illinois) earning honors at 1-over 40. Michael Lingenfelter (St. Louis) finished just one shot back at 2-over 41, while Brian Vance (Iowa) rounded out the top of the leaderboard with a 4-over 43.

Division 3 saw Cody Markovich (Upstate South Carolina) navigate Mountain Top’s demanding greens and elevation changes to post the division’s low score of 1-over 40. Rick Johnson (St. Louis) followed at 2-over 41, with Bob Witt (Iowa) taking third after carding a 4-over 43.

In Division 4, Will Allen (St. Louis) separated himself from the field with a strong 5-over 44 performance to earn the win by seven shots.

Division 5 champion Joshua Madden (Utah) captured the title after posting 8-over 47, while Garye LaFevers (Phoenix) and Mike Eames (Utah) finished second and third, respectively.

The day also produced one of golf’s greatest moments as Chris Van Spankeren recorded a hole-in-one on the 10th hole, providing an unforgettable highlight during an already memorable afternoon!

With Folds of Honor Friday complete, the stage was officially set for the 2026 Independence Open, as players shifted their attention to another exciting weekend of championship competition at Big Cedar Lodge.

Congratulations to all of our division champions, everyone who supported Folds of Honor, and thank you to every player who helped make another Independence Open weekend kickoff one to remember.