Ina Kim-Schaad Crowned at a Marathon Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
In a historic day for women’s golf, Ina Kim-Schaad won the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, defeating Hanley Long in a match that went to the fifth playoff hole at the Dunes Course of Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Kim-Schaad, 42, from Jupiter, Florida, demonstrated her skill by sinking an 18-foot putt for birdie, securing her second title in this prestigious tournament. The golfer, who had already won in 2019, becomes the fourth oldest player to win the championship and the first two-time champion since Julia Potter-Bobb in 2016. The tournament is open to players aged 25 or older with a handicap index not exceeding 9.4.The intense battle between Kim-Schaad and Long kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Long, 28 years old and from Clarksville, Tennessee, managed to tie the score with a par on the 17th hole, after Kim-Schaad’s approach went long and she had to play her third shot from a cart path. Both players recorded a bogey on the 18th hole, taking the match to playoff holes. After tying the first four playoff holes, Long holed an 18-foot putt on the second extra hole, keeping the excitement until the end.I am overwhelmed with emotion, honestly. I really love this place, and my husband and I got married in Carmel. Doing it in such a special place, on a golf course, with my family here and my husband caddying, on his birthday week, and for the second time, it’s like there aren’t enough words to express all the feelings I have.
Ina Kim-Schaad
Both finalists secured their participation in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur, with Kim-Schaad also qualifying for the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The longest match in the tournament’s history was 22 holes, in 1989, when Robin Weiss defeated Page Marsh Lea.It was an absolute battle all day. Honestly, I am so proud of my courage and determination throughout the day, keeping my head up and never giving up.
Hanley Long
