Battle at City Park Awaits

Chris Thayer set to defend title at 35th CGA Mid-Amateur, while Josh McLaughlin, 2020 runner-up and recent match-play qualifier at U.S. Mid-Am, also returns

By Gary Baines - 9/30/2021

Three Coloradans who recently returned from competing in the U.S. Mid-Amateur will now turn their attention to the CGA Mid-Amateur, where seven past champions are in the field.

The 35th annual CGA Mid-Am, limited to golfers 25 and older, will take place Friday through Sunday at the redesigned City Park Golf Course in Denver.

Josh McLaughlin of Highland Meadows Golf Course, who advanced to the 64-man match-play portion of the U.S. Mid-Am, is scheduled to tee it up at City Park, along with fellow national championship competitors Michael Harrington of Garden of the Gods Club and Joseph Chally of Colorado Golf Club. McLaughlin finished second -- in a playoff -- at last year's CGA Mid-Am.

Speaking of which, the winner of that 2020 playoff at River Valley Ranch in Carbondale, Chris Thayer of Golden, will be back to defend his title. Thayer has won the Mid-Am in 2014, '17 and '20 and owns seven consecutive top-three finishes in the event.

Other former champions in the field include Jon Lindstrom of Lakewood Country Club (2008, '15 and '16), Steve Irwin of Lakewood CC (2003 and '05), Jared Reid of Meridian Golf Club (2018), Harrington (2009), Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club (2007) and Chris Carlson of The Links Golf Club (2004). Polk swept the CGA senior major titles this year and Lindstrom has finished second and fourth in the last two CoBank Colorado Senior Opens.

Also in the field at City Park are Sean Crowley of Columbine Country Club, who played in this year's U.S. Senior Open; 2015 CGA Match Play champ Nick Nosewicz of Meadow Hills Golf Course; 2012 CGA Match Play winner Brian Dorfman of Cherry Creek Country Club; and onetime winner on the European Tour Matt Zions.

The 84-person field will be cut to the low 40 players and ties after 36 holes.

For Friday's pairings at City Park GC, CLICK HERE.