Christian Brand (Hurricane, WV) continued his red-hot summer by posting a 54-hole total of 18-under (198) to win the 82nd Valentine Invitational, hosted annually by Hermitage Country Club in Manikin Sabot. Despite that blistering score, Brand’s margin of victory was just one, as defending champion and Hermitage member Sam Beach (Midlothian, VA) finished a shot back after posting rounds of 65-65-69 (17-under, 199). Beach made only one bogey over the 54-hole tournament in his title defense. 

Brand turned some heads earlier this summer when he won the West Virginia State Amateur by a record 21 shots, then made a spirited run to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine in mid-August.

He found himself locked into a memorable duel against Beach. Brand and Beach, both reinstated amateurs, shared the 36-hole Valentine co-lead, but after Brand made a double-bogey No. 7 on the Sabot Course’s par-5 8th hole, Beach carried a one-shot lead to the back nine in the final round. Brand pulled even with a birdie on the 10th hole, then the pair matched pars until reaching No. 15.

Both players missed the green on the long, water-flanked par-3 hole. Despite facing a difficult up-and-down, Brand proceeded to walk his chip into the hole for an unexpected birdie. Beach then matched his opponent’s chip-in birdie with one of his own, which ignited the large, boisterous home crowd of over 100 spectators. Beach made a solid birdie on the short par-5 16th hole, but Brand carried his momentum from the previous hole and nudged ahead with an eagle 3. Brand scrambled for well-earned pars on the last two holes to secure his one-shot victory.

Matt Vogt (Indianapolis, IN) made a strong statement in his Valentine debut, finishing third with a 54-hole total of 207 (-9). Trey Wren (native of Virginia Beach, VA) finished at 208 (-8) to secure fourth place. 2008 Valentine Champion Adam Horton (Chesapeake, VA) and Cam Roam (Huntington, WV) shared fifth at 209 (-7). 

In the Senior division, Scott Shingler (Haymarket, VA) shot 66 in the first round and never looked back. His total of 210 (-6) was enough for a 2-shot victory over two-time Valentine Senior Champion Jon Hurst (Fredericksburg, VA). Hermitage member and Virginia Golf Hall of Famer David Partridge finished third at 213 (-3), and defending Senior division champion Steve Serrao finished fourth at 214 (-2). Shingler became the only third player in history to win both the regular and senior divisions (Partridge and Robert Nussey, Jr).

Hermitage Country Club has hosted the Valentine Invitational since its inception in 1931. The 83rd Valentine Invitational will be held August 22–24, 2025.

Special thanks to Jordan Utley of the Valentine Invitational for providing this recap.

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