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The 2024 North American Championships returned to Myrtle Beach, SC for the 2nd straight year and featured 450 of the top players from around the country vying to earn the right to be called North American Champion. Over $80,000 in total prizes would be handed out over the 54-hole event, contested at some of Myrtle Beach’s top-rated and most historic courses: Legends – Heathland, Legends – Moorland, Heritage Club and Tradition Golf Club. 240 players would make it through to qualify to play their final round on Top-100 courses True Blue Golf Club and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, where each of the 5 division winners would max out at the $1,000 USGA prize limit and earn the title of North American Champion. New in 2024 was a second chance pot for players failing to make the final round, and over $3000 was paid out in a second chance pot to the players in the consolation round.
The event kicked off with a fun par-3 event on Wednesday night at the Aero Club, where 86 players teed it up under the lights in a fun par 3 shootout that has become a tradition to kick off North American Championship week. APT sponsors were on hand for registration on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, with representatives from Turtleson, 2UNDR, USGlove and Universal Retirement were on hand to help distribute a $250 SWAG package to the players. Players also had the option to play in one of two Finals preview events at True Blue and Caledonia on Thursday afternoon and get a taste of how the courses would be playing for Sunday’s final round.
The ceremonies officially opened on Thursday night at the Opening Party benefiting the Folds of Honor Foundation. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships for the families of fallen and wounded military members and first responders. The room was packed and a sellout crowd enjoyed heavy appetizers and live music from Myrtle Beach’s top cover band Julio and the Saltines. Sara Bush was on hand from Folds of Honor plus Myrtle Beach Patriots Jack Curry and Jimmy Biggs to speak to the APT membership. The APT proudly presented a check to Folds of Honor for over $85,000 for the 2024 season, with over $30,000 being raised at the 2024 North American Championships. That brings our 2.5 year total to over $185,000 raised for the Folds of Honor Foundation! Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney shared a special message for APT members, inviting them to participate in the first Folds of Honor Friday the next morning on the Amateur Players Tour.
Round 1 started with an unbelievable display of patriotism, as Amateur Players Tour members from across the country wore red, white and blue to raise awareness for our military heroes and to play for something bigger than itself. It was Folds of Honor Friday on the Amateur Players Tour. The day started with a special gathering around the flagpole at 7am to honor our country with playing of the National Anthem. Players from all across the country came together as one to honor our nation’s heroes. It was the perfect way to start the 2024 North American Championship.
In Division 1, Blake Claycomb (Indianapolis) jumped out to an early lead with a 3-under par 68 to lead Ian Patterson (Maryland) and Joseph Guterding (Metro New York) by 2 shots after round one at the Heathland Course. Day 2 would prove to be much more challenging at the Heritage Club, but that’s where Andrew Echard (Utah) would make his move, shooting a 2-under par 69 to vault into the lead with 18 holes to play. 28 players would make the cut to play their final round. Echard stumbled early by starting bogey-bogey putting Blake Claycomb within striking distance, but Echard birdied 5 of the last 7 holes on the front to turn in 33 and put the tournament out of reach. His 1-under total of 213 was good enough for a 4-shot victory over runner-up Blake Claycomb.
Results
- 1. Andrew Echard (Utah) -1
- 2. Blake Claycomb (Indianapolis) +3
- 3. David Gibson (Augusta) +6
- 4. Jesse Smith (Kentucky) +8
- 5. John Todd (St. Louis) +9
- T-6. Ryan Bakken (Charleston) +10
- T-6. Peter Zielenski (Metro New York) +10
- T-6. Ian Patterson (Maryland) +10
- T-9. Michael Thornburg (Charlotte) +11
- T-9. Ryan Eckelcamp (St. Louis) +11
- T-9. Dan Ayars (Central Pennsylvania) +11
In Division 2, Logan Pendergrass (Upstate South Carolina) got off to a blazing hot start with an even-par round of 72 that saw him take an early two shot lead over Sean Pierce (Atlanta) and Michael Martin (Carolina Triad). Saturday proved to be moving day as Matt Fegley (Northern California) shot a career-best 74 to vault into the lead with 18-holes to play over a crowded field. The low round Sunday went to Tomas Carvajal (Augusta), who carded a 1-over 71 on the tricky par-70 layout at Caledonia to jump 22 spots into a tie for 6th place. Fegley would stay hot however, following up his low with another 2-over par round of 72 to separate himself from the field and earn a 6-shot victory at +9 over Sean Pierce (Atlanta).
Results
- 1. Matt Fegley (Northern California) +9
- 2. Sean Pierce (Atlanta) +15
- 3. Jeff Fassero (Phoenix) +16
- 4. Johnny Pierce (East Tennessee) +18
- 5. Brian Vance (Iowa Tri-State) +20
- T-6. Tomas Carvajal (Augusta) +21
- T-6. Curt Bressner (Phoenix) +21
- T-6. Daniel Black (St. Louis) +21
- T-6. Michael Martin (St. Louis) +21
- 10. John Wayne Parrish (Carolina Triad) +22
In Division 3, the field was crowded as 4 players were tied at the top after round one with 11-over par 82’s: Johnny Gastelum (Phoenix), Andrew Black (Seattle), Dave Baxmeyer (St. Louis) and Timothy Dublynn (New Jersey/Philadelphia). James Medina (Houston) would have the low round of the day on Saturday, firing a 78 to move himself into serious contention for the title. Steve Winnick (Central Pennsylvania), Carl Reddix (Maryland) and Kevin Smith (Nashville) each shot 80 to move themselves into striking distance heading into the last round at Caledonia. At the end of the day, steady play and consistency would win out in Division 3 as Andrew Black fired rounds of 82-82-80 to earn a 3-shot victory over Jason Page, who fired an impressive 77 to jump 18 spots into the solo runner-up position at +35. Stephen Pheiffer (Metro New York), Mark Gonzales (Houston) and Steve Winnick (Central Pennsylvania) each played solidly to finish in a tie for 3rd at +39.
Results
- 1. Andrew Black (Seattle) +32
- 2. Jason Page (Augusta) +35
- T-3. Stephen Pfieffer (Metro New York) +37
- T-3. Mark Gonzales (Houston) +37
- T-3. Steve Winnick (Central Pennsylvania) +37
- T-6. Kevin Smith (Nashville) +38
- T-6. James Medina (Houston) +38
- T-8. John Chmara (Denver) +39
- T-8. Ian Thomas (Virginia Capital) +39
- 10. Aaron Scholz (Kansas City) +41
In Division 4, Ryan Hohanshelt (Iowa Tri-State) and Scott Fowles (Utah) set the tone early as both players shot 84 to take an early lead in round 1. Saturday would see some big moves as players vyed to get into position to make a Sunday charge for the title. Kevin Brown (Memphis) and Josh McPherson (Nashville) both shot spectacular 81’s to move themselves within striking distance as Ryan Hohanshelt would shoot a second consecutive 84 to make him the leader in the clubhouse going into the final round at True Blue on Sunday. There would be plenty of storylines, including a close race for GlobalGolf.com Player of the Year honors as several higher ups in the standings were in contention including Hohanshelt. Hohanshelt had been in this position before in majors, and was looking for his first big breakthrough after a litany of runner-up finishes. How would his nerves hold up? Player of the Year leader Buddy Robinson (Dallas/Fort Worth) needed a big day to hold onto his Player of the Year lead and he put plenty of pressure on Hohanshelt, tying for the low round of the day of 81 with Christopher Berry (Columbus), but Hohanshelt remained calm and steady. A solid 86 would be enough for a 2-shot victory over Josh McPherson (Nashville).
Results
- 1. Ryan Hohanshelt (Iowa Tri-State) +38
- 2. Josh McPherson (Nashville) +40
- T-3. Buddy Robinson (Dallas/Fort Worth) +43
- T-3. Kevin Brown (Memphis) +43
- 5. Christopher Berry (Columbus) +46
- 6. Scott Fowles (Utah) +47
- T-7. Olumide Akingbemi (Nashville) +48
- T-7. Kason Giles (Utah) +48
- 9. Don Hubbard (Cincinnati/Dayton) +49
- T-10. Steve Thomas (Atlanta) +50
- T-10. Mike Cannon (Seattle) +50
- T-10. Chris Louth (Columbus) +50
In Division 5, scores were LOW in round 1, as players took advantage of perfect scoring conditions and a favorable layout at Heathland Golf Course. It would be important for players to get off to a hot start early, as a much more difficult Heritage Club lurked in Round 2. Joshua Isensee (Southern California) got off to a great start with an 85, but was trailed closely by Ryan Troll (St. Louis – 86), Linda Wallace (Arkansas -87) and numerous players at 88. Heritage club would prove to be much more difficult, but Illyas Sarwari (New Jersey/Philadelphia) carded the round of the day at 87 to put himself within striking distance heading to the final round at True Blue Golf Club. Billy Gilliland (Myrtle Beach) would make the biggest move on Sunday, carding an 85 to jump 13 spots into solo 6th. The event however would belong to Joshua Isensee (Southern California), who broke 90 for the 2nd time in 3 rounds on Sunday to come from behind and earn a 3-shot victory over Linda Wallace (Arkansas).
Results
- 1. Joshua Isensee (Southern California) +55
- 2. Linda Wallace (Arkansas) +58
- 3. Garvice Eakins (Seattle) +62
- T-4. Ryan Troll (St. Louis) +63
- T-4. Randy Poplin (Charleston) +63
- 6. Billy Gilliland (Myrtle Beach) +65
- T-7. Gregg Centers (Kentucky) +66
- T-7. Illyas Sarwari (New Jersey/Philadelphia) +66
- T-9. Marty Brock (Upstate South Carolina) +67
- T-9. William Yancey (Kansas City) +67
New for 2024, players also had the opportunity to “double-dip” and also play in a Open Net contest within their division, with each player getting 90% of their Validated APT Tournament Index. Here is the results:
Division 1 – Champion Peter Zielinski (Metro New York)
Division 2 – Champion Matt Fegley (Northern California)
Division 3 – Champion Mark Gonzales (Houston)
Division 4 – Champion Ryan Hohanshelt (Iowa Tri-State)
Division 5 – Champion Linda Wallace (Arkansas)
The 2UNDR Challenge was a fun side contest, contested on the par 3’s and the par 5’s during the first two rounds. Prizes were paid out in great merch from our sponsors 2UNDR, Turtleson and some great gear from the APT Pro Shop. $9,520 was contributed by the players to both the 2UNDR Par 3 and Par 5 challenges, with players winning over $10,150 in prizes in these contests. 1 in 5 entrants plus all ties were paid out in each division (meaning 25 entries equals 5 payouts), provided players had not maxed out at the $1,000 prize limit. Winners will be contacted early this week and prizes will ship directly to their house.
A special note from our friends at Universal Retirement:The **Universal Retirement** team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the players who competed in this week’s National Championship events in the beautiful Myrtle Beach. A special shoutout to all the Champions—congratulations on your fantastic performances!
As a proud major sponsor of the Amateur Players Tour, Universal Retirement is excited for the 2025 season and eager to continue our support of this great community.
Take advantage of our expertise! Use the links below to schedule your complimentary one-on-one appointment with **Lance** or **Kreg** and explore all the options available to plan for a successful retirement.
