Echard Charges Back, First-Time Champions Headline Black Desert Showdown

The Amateur Players Tour returned to one of the most visually striking venues in golf for a national major at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah. Carved through fields of black lava rock with dramatic elevation changes and panoramic desert views, Black Desert presents a one-of-a-kind challenge that is quickly earning its place on the national stage. The course is home to the annual Bank of Utah Championship, a PGA Tour Fall Series event, further cementing its status as a championship-caliber venue. Beyond the golf course, players experienced Black Desert’s luxurious amenities and first-class hospitality throughout the week. The APT extends its thanks to the entire Black Desert staff for their outstanding service, as well as Universal Retirement for being on site and supporting the event.

Across two rounds, competitors battled a demanding setup where the lava rock punished any miss offline and firm conditions required disciplined shot-making. With scoring opportunities balanced by constant danger, the leaderboard saw movement throughout the weekend in every division.

In Division 1, Andrew Echard (Utah) reminded the field why he is a two-time defending Worldwide Golf National Player of the Year, charging back for a come-from-behind victory. After opening with an 80 in Round 1, Echard responded with a 72 in Round 2 to finish at +8 and overtake the field. KG Glasgow (Kansas City), Joshua Crossen (Las Vegas), and Jacob Bruhn (Kansas City) all finished tied for second at +10 after strong closing rounds, while Matt Minder (St. Louis) finished in solo fifth just three shots back at +11. Echard’s ability to steady himself while others hovered around the lead proved to be the difference down the stretch.

Division 2 saw Paul Hess (Central Pennsylvania) take control early and never look back, posting rounds of 72-80 to finish at +8. Hess built separation after Round 1 and managed the course effectively on Sunday to close out the win. Amanda Henneman (Utah) finished second at +13, followed by Mark Iriarte (Southern California) in third at +14, Mark Ballew (Myrtle Beach) in fourth at +15, and Tanner Mattinson (Utah) in fifth at +16.

Division 3 delivered one of the defining moments of the championship, as Kason Giles (Utah) captured his first national major victory in dramatic fashion. Giles followed an opening 83 with a strong 77 in Round 2 to finish at +16, but it was his clutch birdie on the par-5 9th—his final hole—that ultimately secured the win. He edged Pat Ryan (Myrtle Beach), who continued his strong run of form with a second-place finish at +20. Jesse Stone (Utah) finished third at +22, Steve Winnick (Central Pennsylvania) took fourth at +23, while Kent Muraoka (Southern California) and Kyle Pomikala (Utah) shared fifth at +24.

In Division 4, Brian Sanders (Birmingham) claimed victory after a dramatic two-hole sudden-death playoff against Baxton Owen (St. Louis), with both players finishing regulation tied at +30. Sanders ultimately prevailed after Owen came within inches of his first victory. Cody Quattlebaum (Georgia – Central (Macon)) continued to impress following his 2025 Division 5 NAC title, firing a career-best 79 in Round 2 to mount a significant comeback and tied for third at +31, breaking 80 for the first time in his career. Chris Huge (Myrtle Beach) and Chris Kehoe (Metro New York) shared third with him at +31 to round out the top finishers.

Division 5 produced another playoff finish, as James Goodfellow (Utah) secured his first major victory in a sudden-death battle against Garye LaFevers (Phoenix). Both players finished tied at +39 through two rounds, with Goodfellow prevailing on the first playoff hole. Abigail Brooks (Kentucky) finished third at +44, Jason Bushman (Utah) took fourth at +46, and Jim Garee (Utah) finished fifth at +48.

The Mid-Am Net division featured a tightly contested leaderboard with movement throughout the final round, but it was Shannon Lester (Utah) who emerged on top with rounds of 71-74 to finish at +1. Lester maintained consistency across both days and held off a late push from J Combs (Carolina Triad), who finished just one shot back at +2. One of the standout performances came from Cody Quattlebaum (Georgia – Central (Macon)), who rebounded from an opening 82 with a remarkable 65 in Round 2 to climb into third at +3. Blake Elkins (Birmingham) and Aaron Bascomb (Utah)shared fourth at +4, rounding out the money.

In the Senior Net division, Brian Sanders (Birmingham) added to his impressive week by capturing the victory with rounds of 66-72 to finish at -6. Sanders set the pace early and held off a strong group of challengers, including Susan Barrow (Kentucky) and Garye LaFevers (Phoenix), who both finished at -1. Kent Muraoka (Southern California) and Paul Hess (Central Pennsylvania) each finished at even par, rounding out the money.

Black Desert once again proved why it is emerging as one of the premier championship venues in golf, delivering a unique and demanding test for players across all divisions. The APT thanks the staff at Black Desert Resort for hosting a first-class national major and congratulates all of this week’s winners on their performances.  The APT moves to the APT Open Championship at Omni Bedford Springs in Bedford, PA on April 25-26 with a sold-out field and one of the toughest fields of the year.