Ryan Downes Reigns Again at Home Course, Wins 117th Massachusetts Amateur
Photos by David Colt
GreatHorse’s Ryan Downes delivered another memorable performance on his home turf, capturing his second Massachusetts Amateur title in three years with a commanding 7&6 victory over Patrick Kilcoyne in the 36-hole final. At just 19 years old, the Longmeadow native becomes the first player to win the Mass Amateur twice before turning 20.
“This one means a little bit more than the first one. It’s my home course, everyone out here supporting me, U.S. Amateur exemption on the line… it’s an awesome feeling,” said Downes, whose win secures his spot in the 2025 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Dominance from the Start
Downes never trailed in the final match. He won three of the first five holes with efficient, confident golf. Even when Kilcoyne won holes, Downes often answered immediately. A highlight came on the par-5 14th, where he rolled in a 30-foot eagle putt over a ridge, punctuated with a fist pump toward the gallery.
“Honestly, I felt pretty relaxed,” he said. “I know the course better than anyone here. I just stuck to my game plan and executed really well.”
Match Play Masterclass
Downes' strategy all week was simple: get the lead early and hold it. The only match he trailed in was the semifinal against NC State’s Joey Lenane, where he rallied from three down at the turn to win in 19 holes. Otherwise, he controlled every match, including Friday’s final, where he closed out the match at dormie on the par-3 12th in the afternoon round.
Kilcoyne’s Breakout Week
Patrick Kilcoyne, a rising senior at Gettysburg College, made the deepest run of his Mass Amateur career. He knocked out experienced players including GreatHorse members Billy Walthouse and Guy Antonacci. Though he couldn’t match Downes in the final, his spirited play earned cheers of “Let’s go, Patty Ice!” from the gallery and plenty of respect from fellow competitors.
Champion’s Profile
- Hometown: Longmeadow, MA
- School: Vanderbilt University
- Accolades:
- First player to win Mass Amateur twice before age 20
- 2023 youngest winner of Mass Amateur at age 17
- Vanderbilt record-tying low round of 61
- 2022 & 2023 Mass Golf Christopher Cutler Rich Junior Player of the Year
- Wins: 2023 & 2025 Mass Amateur, 2022 & 2023 Ouimet Memorial, AJGA Justin Thomas Junior Championship
Road to Victory
Stroke Play: 77-70—147 (+3)
- R32: def. Ben Balter, 3&1
- R16: def. Reese Jensen, 3&1
- Quarterfinals: def. Jake Ratti, 6&5
- Semifinals: def. Joey Lenane, 19 holes
- Final (36 holes): def. Patrick Kilcoyne, 7&6
Notables
- Second consecutive Mass Amateur champion to win at his home club (following Matthew Naumec at Framingham CC).
- Downes has reached the final three of the last four years, matching the feat of Hall of Famer Frank Vana, Jr.
- Semifinalists earned automatic spots in 2026 U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying.
- GreatHorse will host the 2026 New England Amateur and the 2027 Mass Open.
ABOUT THE
Massachusetts Amateur
Qualifying - 32 Holes at Stroke Play to determine
32 Qualifiers for Match Play. Entries are open to
amateur golfers who have an active MGA/GHIN
Handicap Index at any public, private, semi-private,
municipal or non-real estate MGA member course/club
not exceeding 4.4.
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