The bulk of Friday’s quarterfinal field at the Utah Men’s State Amateur is occupied by collegiate players after two rounds of match play at Soldier Hollow in Midway on Thursday.
Defending champion Bowen Mauss, a sophomore at Arizona State, posted decisive victories in both morning and afternoon matches and will open Friday’s quarterfinals against Layton native David Liechty, who is transferring to BYU from Utah Tech.
What changed for residents and local fans
Local golf followers will see familiar names and several college standouts in the final eight. The tournament continues Friday with quarterfinals and semifinals, and the 36-hole final is scheduled for Saturday morning. Weekend traffic around Soldier Hollow could increase as spectators return for the championship matches.
Mauss, the defending titlist, won his morning match 6 and 5 and followed with a 3-and-2 victory in the afternoon. He faces Liechty, who rebounded in Thursday’s afternoon round to beat Steele DeWald 2 and 1. Liechty first rose to statewide attention three years ago by reaching the State Am final and later qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur.
Veteran players also remain in contention. Cameron Crawford, the 38-year-old who played college golf at Dixie State 16 years ago, staged a comeback to defeat BYU’s Angus Klintworth on the 19th hole, denying what would have been an all-collegiate quarterfinal slate.
- Bowen Mauss (Arizona State) — advanced convincingly in both matches.
- David Liechty (incoming BYU transfer) — rallied to win 2 and 1.
- Cameron Crawford — won on the 19th hole to reach quarters; former Dixie State player, age 38.
Quarterfinal matchups and schedule
Quarterfinal play is set for Friday morning. The 36-hole championship match between the final two competitors is slated for 7 a.m. Saturday.
| Match | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bowen Mauss vs. David Liechty |
| 2 | Carter Frisby vs. KJ Ofahengaue |
| 3 | Kanyon DeRyke vs. Noah Moody |
| 4 | Jackson Mauss vs. Cameron Crawford |
Two friends from Lehi will meet in one quarterfinal pairing as Carter Frisby, scheduled to be a senior at the University of Idaho, takes on KJ Ofahengaue, a junior at Utah Valley University.
Another notable result came from Kanyon DeRyke, who upset Austin Shelley 2 and 1. DeRyke, a Brigham City native headed to Providence College in Montana, will face Utah State’s Noah Moody, who advanced with a narrow 1-up afternoon win.
BYU sophomore Jackson Mauss also moved into the quarterfinals with victories over former champion Cole Ogden and University of Utah player Brandon Robison; he will meet Crawford in an early match Friday.
Context and local impact
The State Amateur has historically been dominated by college players, and this year’s results continue that trend. For younger players and local fans, the tournament offers a showcase for emerging talent and an opportunity to see how area golfers match up against collegiate competition. Spectators planning to attend Friday or Saturday should expect expanded crowds and should check Soldier Hollow’s guidance on parking and course access.
Quarterfinal winners will advance to Saturday’s semifinals and the 36-hole championship match. The progression of collegiate standouts and a few experienced amateurs creates compelling match play dynamics as the field narrows toward the title.
Coverage of the final rounds and a championship recap will follow from Soldier Hollow.
