By Lina Broydo
Spending a week (August 11-17) at the world famous Olympic Club in San Francisco/Daily City was definitely my favorite golf championship of all I have ever attended for the past 20 years, mostly the US Open Championships, but this was my first introduction to the U.S. Amateur Championship. And I loved it! Thanks USGA for this priceless opportunity!
As the future stars of the game shined on the manicured grounds of the stunningly gorgeous setting of the architectural marvel of the Olympic Club’s golf design, I was walking the fairways following Mason Howell of Thomasville, Georgia and Jackson Herington of Dickson, Tennessee, and interacting, chatting, taking photos and having lunch with some of the devoted and enthusiastic entourages of parents, sisters, brothers, friends and some girlfriends accompanying the young competing golfers. Did I mention it was a family and friends affair?
The 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship was the fourth time The Olympic Club has hosted the game’s most storied amateur championship, following playings in 1958 (Charlie Coe), 1981 (Nathanial Crosby) and 2007 (Colt Knost). Joe Montana, a first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer, and Condoleezza Rice, 66th U.S. Secretary of State, have been named honorary co-chairs of the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship.
The U.S. Amateur stage, as a total of 19 champions have gone on to win major championships at the professional level including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, a Northern California native (Clovis).
And the 2025 winner is: Mason Howell! Sunday’s teenage championship match between 18-year-old Mason Howell of Georgia and 19-year-old Jackson Herrington of Tennessee was the youngest final in the championship history. Howell became the third-youngest player to ever hoist the Havemeyer trophy, overtaking Tiger Woods. Congrats to Mason and his family! HIs charming Mom Lauren told me she follows him to all the Golf Championships he participates in!
What’s next for Mason? First: he has to return to Thomasville, Georgia to attend the Brookwood High School!! Yes, the school’s academic year is about to start for this 18 years old amateur golf champion.
About the USGA
The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game.
For more, visit usga.org.
