Former Coloradan Parker Edens sees his strong run at U.S. Mid-Amateur end in quarterfinals for the third time in the last 4 years
By Gary Baines
A day after rallying from a 2-down deficit early on the back nine to score a 23-hole victory at the U.S. Mid-Amateur, former Coloradan Parker Edens again fell behind in his match on Wednesday. But this time, he couldn’t muster a similar impressive comeback.
Edens — who grew up in Greeley, and played college golf at Colorado State and was an assistant coach there — saw another deep run at the championship end on Wednesday as fellow former pro Nate Smith of Tetonia, Idaho started fast and posted a 6 and 5 victory over Edens in the quarterfinals at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis.
That marks Edens’ third trip to the final eight at the 264-man event in the last four years. And the one year in that span he didn’t make the quarterfinals, he advanced to the round of 16 in 2024.
The quarterfinal hurdle remains a big one for Edens, a two-time Inspirato Colorado Open low amateur and twice a CGA Match Play runner-up. He also bowed out in the quarters in 2023 and last year. But by making it that far again, he’s exempt for the 2027 U.S. Mid-Am that will be played at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Fla.
Edens — head coach of the men’s golf team at South Dakota State, which is in the midst of the fall portion of its schedule — ran into a formidable opponent Wednesday in Smith. The former Duke standout birdied three of his first five holes to take a 4-up lead and Edens could never get closer than 3 down from there on out as he won just one hole on Wednesday (No. 7 with a birdie). And as long as Tuesday’s 23-hole match was, this one was abbreviated, ending at No. 13.
Edens ended up 4 over par for the match, while Smith was 3 under.
Despite the loss, Edens now owns an 11-4 match-play record over the last four years in the U.S. Mid-Am, which is limited to players 25 and older. This time around, he finished 12th out of the 264 players in stroke play, then won his first three matches 3 and 1, 5 and 4, and in 23 holes before Wednesday’s loss.
Here are how players with strong Colorado ties fared at the 2026 U.S. Mid-Am:
U.S. Mid-Amateur at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis.
MATCH PLAY QUARTERFINALS WEDNESDAY
Nate Smith, Tetonia, Idaho, def. Former Coloradan Parker Edens, 6 and 5
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 16 TUESDAY
Former Coloradan Parker Edens def. Sean O’Donnell, Pinehurst, N.C., 23 holes
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 32 TUESDAY
Former Coloradan Parker Edens def. Rhadames Pena, Dominican Republic, 5 and 4
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 64 MONDAY
Former Coloradan Parker Edens def. Mike Calef, West Bridgewater, Mass., 3 and 1
Christian Cavaliere, Katonah, N.Y., def. Ryan Schmitz, Denver, 1 up
STROKE PLAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Advance to Match Play
7. Ryan Schmitz, Denver 72-67–139
12. Former Coloradan Parker Edens 74-66—140
Failed to Advance to Match Play
Zach Gomez, Westminster 75-73–148
Cooper Taylor, Superior 75-77—152
Gary Knight, Erie 79-77—156
Sean Crowley, Littleton 80-79–159
Cole Anderson, Colorado Springs 76-86—162
For all the results from the U.S. Mid-Am, CLICK HERE.