Evan Beck’s Breakthrough Year

Beck’s case is built on his stellar recent performance. The 34-year-old from Virginia Beach finally captured his first USGA title at the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur, dominating the championship match 9 and 8 at Kinloch Golf Club. It was a moment of “sweet redemption” after two prior near-misses – Beck was the runner-up in the 2023 U.S. Mid-Am (falling 3 and 2 to Hagestad in the final) and back in 2008, he lost the U.S. Junior Amateur final as a teenager. With the Mid-Am victory, Beck earned a place in history as the first player since 2001-02 to win the title a year after losing in the final. He also became the first medalist in a decade to go on to win the Mid-Am, showcasing his all-around game through both stroke play and match play.

Beyond the Mid-Amateur, Beck has amassed an impressive Mid-Am tournament resume in the last year. He racked up victories at the 2024 Coleman Invitational and the George Thomas Invitational, two of the most prestigious events on the Mid-Am circuit. His consistency is evident: he’s climbed to No. 32 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and is currently ranked No. 2 in the AmateurGolf.com Mid-Amateur Rankings, while Hagestad is ranked No. 3. A Wake Forest alum with a steady job in finance, Beck embodies the competitive mid-amateur who balances career and high-level golf. Now he’s poised to reap the rewards: his Mid-Am win earned him exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Open and an expected invitation to the 2025 Masters.

All of this makes a compelling argument that Beck is the “leader in the clubhouse” for the Mid-Am slot on the 2025 Walker Cup team. He has proven he can handle intense match-play pressure and is in peak form. If selected, it would be his first Walker Cup – a chance to represent the USA and cap off his amateur ascent.

Stewart Hagestad’s Undeniable Legacy

On the other side is Stewart Hagestad – a name synonymous with modern Mid-Amateur excellence. At 33, Hagestad has already compiled a legendary amateur resume. He is one of only four players ever to have won the U.S. Mid-Amateur at least three times (2016, 2021, and 2023). In fact, his most recent triumph came at Sleepy Hollow in 2023, where he defeated none other than Evan Beck in the final to claim his third Mid-Am title. That victory stamped Hagestad’s ticket to the 2024 Masters, which marked his third Masters appearance earned via Mid-Am wins.

But Hagestad’s impact goes well beyond the Mid-Am. He has been a stalwart of the Walker Cup – the biennial matches between the USA and Great Britain & Ireland – playing on four consecutive winning U.S. teams (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023). This streak made him the first player since the legendary Jay Sigel (who played 1977–1987) to be part of four straight victorious U.S. squads. In those matches, Hagestad often delivered crucial points and provided veteran leadership on teams mostly filled with college stars. He has embraced the role of the “designated” mid-amateur on Team USA, even acting as a mentor-figure to younger teammates. Should he make the 2025 team, Hagestad would set a modern record with five appearances – an extraordinary feat in an era when most top amateurs turn pro long before they could ever play that many Walker Cups.

Hagestad’s overall amateur accomplishments further bolster his case. He owns a 28-4 match play record in U.S. Mid-Amateur competition, one of the best in the event’s history. He was the low amateur at the 2017 Masters (finishing T36) and has competed in five U.S. Opens, showing he can hold his own on golf’s biggest stages. As recently as early 2024, he proved his game is still sharp by winning the Azalea Invitational, a prominent amateur tournament. In WAGR terms, Hagestad has been ranked as high as the top 10 in the world (he was No. 11 entering the 2024 Masters). Even if he’s now focusing on his finance career, his part-time schedule continues to yield high-level results – a testament to his talent and experience.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Beck vs. Hagestad

To better visualize their credentials, here’s a comparative look at key metrics for Evan Beck and Stewart Hagestad:

Both players bring strong resumes, but with different narratives – Beck as the newly crowned champion in peak form, and Hagestad as the battle-tested veteran with unparalleled Walker Cup experience.

Mid-Amateurs and the Walker Cup: A Historical Trend

The Walker Cup traditionally reserves at least one spot for mid-amateur players (amateurs typically older than 25 who have not turned pro). In fact, USGA selection criteria virtually guarantee that a mid-am will be on the team as a nod to the broader amateur game. “At least one mid-amateur will make the team,” confirmed USGA’s John Bodenhamer when discussing the 2025 selection outlook. The debate is usually which mid-am earns that place.

Historically, there have been times when more than one Mid-Am featured on Team USA, though it’s become less common in recent years. For example, the 2013 U.S. Walker Cup team included two mid-amateurs – Nathan Smith and Todd White – alongside the young collegiate stars. In 2015, the team again had two mid-ams: 2013 Mid-Am champion Mike McCoy (who played at age 52) and 2014 Mid-Am champion Scott Harvey. These seasoned players brought leadership and consistency, and often paired together in foursomes matches.

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Since 2017, however, the U.S. has typically opted for one mid-amateur per squad. In 2017 and 2019, Stewart Hagestad was the lone mid-am on the roster, providing experience to teams filled with rising college talents. That one-spot trend continued through 2021 and 2023 with Hagestad again occupying it. His unusual run of four straight teams underscores how rare it is for a mid-am to maintain such a high level while new waves of youth come through.

What about the reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion – is it an automatic Walker Cup pick? Often, the Mid-Am champ gets very strong consideration, but it’s not a guarantee. USGA selectors weigh overall performance and team fit. In 2015, for instance, newly crowned Mid-Am champs (Harvey and McCoy from the prior two years) both made the team. Stewart Hagestad’s own first Walker Cup in 2017 came on the heels of his 2016 Mid-Am victory, which made him an obvious choice. However, an example of non-selection is Kevin O’Connell: after winning the 2018 U.S. Mid-Am, O’Connell was seen as a favorite for 2019 but ultimately was left off as the U.S. went with only Hagestad in the mid-am slot. In that case, Hagestad’s superior track record won out over the newer champion. So while the Mid-Am champ often has an inside track, the spot still must be earned among the competition.

Outlook for 2025: Who Gets the Nod?

Fast forward to the 2025 Walker Cup team deliberations, and the picture becomes clearer. Given the evidence, Evan Beck looks to be in the driver’s seat for the mid-amateur position. He has done everything the selectors could ask for: win a USGA championship, contend consistently in top amateur events, and stay amateur (avoiding the lure of pro golf) to be available for selection. His recent string of titles and high finishes should make him a lock based on merit. Beck himself has expressed that making the Walker Cup team would be the capstone of his amateur comeback, and his current form suggests he’s ready to contribute.

On the other hand, Stewart Hagestad remains a compelling option – he’s practically a playing captain with the experience he carries. If the USGA and captain Nathan Smith (a mid-am legend in his own right) decide that veteran leadership and match-play savvy are worth a second mid-am spot, Hagestad would be the one to get the call. His performance in the 2023 matches (2-1 record) and continued competitive results indicate he can still deliver. The question is less about Hagestad’s ability and more about roster dynamics: will there be room for two mid-ams on a 10-man team? Recent precedent suggests it’s unlikely unless several top college players turn professional early, freeing up an extra spot. Notably, a few elite collegians from the 2023 team have signaled plans to turn pro, which could open the door a crack for a Hagestad-plus-Beck scenario.

As of now, the safe bet is that Beck will be the lone Mid-Amateur on the 2025 U.S. Walker Cup team, just as 48% of the poll voters predicted. He checks all the boxes: current champion, in-form, and deserving. Hagestad garners 21% of the vote for good reason – you can never count out a player of his caliber, and sentimentally many would love to see him get a fifth and final hurrah on home soil in California. The remaining 31% “not sure” reflects that until the official selection is made, anything is possible in amateur golf.

Evidence suggests that the USGA will stick to its pattern of one mid-am, meaning Beck’s redemption story will likely continue at Cypress Point. However, should Hagestad make a persuasive case (through summer performances or simply the intangible boost he provides), the committee might just be tempted to bend the recent norm and include both generations of mid-am excellence. Either way, Team USA will benefit – they’ll either get a red-hot newcomer in Beck or an experienced hand in Hagestad (or perhaps even the luxury of both). It’s a good dilemma to have, and it speaks to the strength of the mid-amateur ranks in American golf today.

Ultimately, the 2025 Walker Cup Mid-Am spot appears Beck’s to lose, with Hagestad waiting in the wings. If Beck continues his winning ways, expect to see him don the red, white, and blue. And if he does, he’ll be following the trail blazed by Hagestad and those before – a testament to the importance of mid-amateurs in the heart of American amateur golf. The final decision will blend recent form with respect for pedigree, but one thing is certain: the U.S. side will once again have a battle-tested mid-amateur in its ranks when the matches tee off at Cypress Point.