Colin Prater places among top 10 in stroke-play portion of U.S. Mid-Am, with Charlie Soule and Parker Edens also advancing to match play; Marilyn Hardy, Kim Eaton make match play in U.S. Senior Women’s Am
By Gary Baines – 9/14/2025
A year ago, Colin Prater seemed poised for a deep run at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.
The high school science teacher from Colorado Springs qualified for the match-play portion of the championship, then cruised to a 4-and-3 victory in the round of 64. Then in the round of 32, Prater built a 3-up lead through seven holes and looked to be in good shape to advance to the sweet 16. But he went 5 over the rest of the way and Irishman Hugh Foley defeated the Coloradan 1 up.
But now Prater is back for more, and on Sunday he tied for seventh out of 264 players in the stroke-play portion of the 2025 U.S. Mid-Am at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. The three-time CGA Player of the Year and 2025 CGA Match Play champ went 68-71 for a 3-under-par total in stroke play, ending up two strokes behind co-medalists Cody Massa of Cave Creek, Ariz., and Patrick Dewey of Jupiter, Fla. Prater finished with six birdies and three bogeys over the two weekend rounds.
Also advancing to Monday’s match-play round of 64 were 2024 CGA Mid-Amateur champion Charlie Soule of Denver (69-75), and former Greeley resident and ex-Colorado State University golfer Parker Edens (74-71).
Edens was a U.S. Mid-Am quarterfinalist in 2023 and advanced to the round of 16 last year. On Sunday, he narrowly avoided a playoff for the final match-play spots after racking up 10 birdies over the weekend.
Here are the scores for all the players with strong Colorado ties at the U.S. Mid-Am:
Advance to Match Play
7. Colin Prater, CO Springs 68-71—139
35. Charlie Soule, Denver 69-75—144
45. Former Coloradan Parker Edens 74-71–145
Failed to Advance to Match Play
86. Former CSU golfer Bryce Hanstad 73-75–148
129. Matt Call, Sedalia 78-73–151
160. Ryan Axlund, Englewood 75-79—154
171. Joel Perez, Longmont 74-81–155
171. Mark Henderson, Highlands Ranch 81-74—155
223. Ed Kerr, Windsor 76-84–160
Ryan Burke, Longmont 90-WD
— Marilyn Hardy, Kim Eaton Make Match Play at U.S. Senior Women’s Am: Meanwhile, at the other USGA championship taking place starting this weekend, part-time Gunnison-area resident Marilyn Hardy and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton both earned spots in match play at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va.
Hardy, a two-time CGA Women’s Senior Stroke Play champ, posted scores of 77-79 for a 12-over-par total, good for 30th place out of the stroke-play field of 132. Eaton (76-82) placed 40th in stroke play. Both overcame triple bogeys in round 2.
Eaton has competed in every U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur since turning 50 years old in 2009.
Round-of-64 matches will be played on Monday, when Hardy will play fellow Texan Jennifer Delgadillo and Eaton will face Erin O’Hara of Worcester, Mass.
Scores for players with strong Colorado ties from the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va.:
Advance to Match Play
30. Part-time Gunnison-area resident Marilyn Hardy 77-79–156
40. Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton 76-82–158
Failed to Advance to Match Play
90. Haejeong Son, Castle Rock 83-84–167
127. Louise Lyle, CO Springs 92-90—182