Rancho Mirage, CA - The first round of the 2025 TMGA Senior Amateur Championship started today at the newly renovated Thunderbird Country Club. Magnificent course conditions greeted the players at the first club built in the Coachella Valley. The freshly renovated Thunderbird Country Club has a special golf history. The Tripp Davis redesign has created a wonderful test of golf that has received rave reviews from the field and the club’s membership. The club hosted the 1955 Ryder Cup, where Jack Burke secured the victory for Team USA on the 16th hole of his singles match. Bing Crosby was the club champion in the late fifties, and Gerald Ford's house sits next to the 13th green.
The tournament has become one of the top-ranked senior events on the season's schedule. This year’s field included eleven past champions, a Walker Cup captain, a US Mid-Amateur Champion, two British Senior Champions, and a multitude of Society of Senior Champions.
The Senior division (age 55+) is led by newly eligible senior Trae Cassell of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Cassell’s card included nine birdies, and he finished the day at 5-under-par. Cassell, a real estate executive at The Madison Club, won the California State Senior, just after turning fifty-five. Four players sit two shots back at 3-under-par, including David Nelson, Jason Pridemore, Mike McCoy, and John Adams. Three players are at 2-under-par. The top seventeen players are all even par or better.
In the Super Senior Division (age 65+), three players carded red numbers with Mark Morgan, of Shingle Springs, CA, leading at 3-under-par, followed by Carl Horsch, Jr at 2-under-par. Sam Billmeyer at 1-under-par. Morgan's consistent play included four birdies and one bogie, while Horch’s card was a bit more of a roller coaster with seven birdies and five bogies.
The Legends Division (age 70+) saw some impressive play, with two players tied at the top at 1-under-par. Dennis McKinley of Highlands Ranch, CO, and past Champion Patrick Rohan, of San Diego, CA, posted age-beating rounds. Scott Parker and David Mooty sit one and two shots back, respectively.
In all, 118 of the top senior players from across the country came to Southern California to battle an elite field, some hot temperatures, and a challenging golf course to be named the 2025 TMGA Senior Amateur Champion.
About the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association: Founded in 1901, the Trans-Miss Golf Association is one of the oldest in the country. It conducts four annual championships, including the highly ranked Senior Amateur and the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, which is part of the Elite Amateur Golf Series.
The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association's Turf Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance through student scholarships and club internship grants to students pursuing careers in agronomy and turf management. The Fund has provided over $125,000 annually and is working to raise the funds through its Ambassador Club.