PINE VALLEY (N.J.) – Stewart Hagestad has a September to be remembered.
Hagestad won the prestigious Crump Memorial Tournament Saturday at Pine Valley Golf Club, beating defending champion Stephen Behr Jr.
Hagestad was 32 when he played for the U.S. team that won the 49 Walker Cup at St. Andrews, on September 3. On Sept. 13, he won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship for the third time by beating Evan Beck 3 to 2.
Stewart Hagestad, winner of the 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur, kisses the Robert T. Jones, Jr. Memorial Trophy at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough, N.Y., on Friday, September 15, 2023. (Kathryn Riley/USGA)
Hagestad’s Crump Memorial started in dramatic style with a hole in one at Pine Valley’s famous par-3 10 thhole (also known as the Devil’s Asshole). He posted rounds of 72-71 and tied for third place in 36-holes stroke-play qualification. Beck earned medalist honours with two 68s, and a 36 hole total of 4 under 136. The tournament committee was forced to reduce the match play weekend to 18 stroke play holes to determine the winner due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. All flights other than championship flights were cancelled.
Hagestad, who is ranked No. 1, shot a 3-over-par 73 at Pine Valley in challenging conditions. Golfweek’s list of the Best Classic Courses. He won the first hole of the playoff over Behr from Alpharetta in Georgia to win the 98 th Crump Cup.
Matthew Sughrue, of Arlington, Virginia shot a 1-under-69 to win Senior Crump Cup. Bob Royak from Alpharetta in Georgia finished second with an 74.
