5-Time USGA Champ Smith Receives Special Exemption into U.S. Mid-Am

Five-time United States Golf Association champion and 2025 USA Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith has received a special exemption into the 43rd U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The 2024 championship will be held at Kinloch Golf Club, in Manakin-Sabot, Va., and stroke-play co-host Independence Golf Club, in Midlothian, Va., from Sept. 21-26.

Smith, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the lone player to have claimed four U.S. Mid-Amateur titles, winning in 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2012. He also won the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Todd White in 2015. White is the reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champion who also is in the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur field.

In 2025, Smith will serve as captain of the USA Walker Cup Team for the Match at Cypress Point Club, in Pebble Beach, Calif. He competed in three consecutive Walker Cups (2009, 2011, 2013), earning the clinching point in the 2013 USA victory at National Golf Links of America, in Southampton, N.Y. As a member of three victorious teams, he also won two foursomes matches with partner Peter Uihlein in USA’s 2009 triumph at Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pa.

Smith became the 15th player to win the same USGA championship at least four times with his victory in the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Conway Farms Golf Club, in Lake Forest, Ill. In Mid-Amateur play, he is tied for second in career victories with a 34-9 match-play record.

Smith has competed in 47 USGA championships, including 17 U.S. Amateurs and 18 U.S. Mid-Amateurs. He has also played in six USGA Men’s State Teams, partnering with Mike Van Sickle and Sean Knapp to capture the title with Pennsylvania in 2009.

A former Division III All-American, Smith also has won two Pennsylvania State Amateurs and has been inducted into Western Pennsylvania Golf and Allegheny College Halls of Fame.