USGA

Just as preparations for the 2020 U . S . Mid-Amateur Championship at Kinloch were set to kick into high gear , sports around the world shut down , events were canceled , and people were encouraged to stay at home to slow the spread of the deadly virus . With large gatherings discouraged , it became clear early on that the majority of USGA championships would be shelved that year , including the U . S . Mid-Amateur .

Rule was working at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota — the scheduled host of the 2020 U . S . Junior Amateur — when the pandemic hit , so he ’ s well versed in the scenario that unfolded that year . If anything , it ’ s made the run-up to the 2024 U . S . Mid-Amateur at Kinloch even more exciting , as the anticipation of the USGA ’ s return to Virginia for the first time since 2013 has been building for at least six years now .

“ I ’ m as excited for this one as any of the other championships I ’ ve had a chance to work on ,” said Rule , who began his tenure as Kinloch ’ s general manager in April 2022 . “ It ’ s fun . It ’ s different . The staff is really excited to work on it . We ’ re going to have a lot of fun , that ’ s the main part of this .”

With the nines reversed , the 8th hole at Kinloch will play as the 17th for the 2024 U . S . Mid-Amateur .

First contested in 1981 , the U . S . Mid-Amateur ( for players ages 25 and older ) will be making its second trip to Virginia when Kinloch and Independence Golf Club host the event Sept . 21-26 . The Omni Homestead Resort ’ s Cascades Course hosted the final 20th century Mid-Am in 2000 , with American Greg Puga defeating South African Wayne Raath 3 and 1 in the final match .

Because of the large field size — 264 players — two courses are needed to conduct the two days of stroke-play qualifying . The field will be cut to 64 players for