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Mauss Keeps Rolling, Wins Second Utah State Amateur

When the championship match of the 128th Utah State Amateur started early Saturday morning, there were two definite story lines. 19-year-old Bowen Mauss, the former Corner Canyon High School star and soon to be sophomore at Arizona State University, was trying to become the first back-to-back winner of the world’s oldest continuously held amateur championship since Preston Summerhays turned the trick in 2019.

Thirty-eight-year-old mid-amateur Cameron Crawford, a Jordan High School graduate, arrived at Soldier Hollow with a chance to author one of the championship’s most memorable victories.

Mauss came out of the gates quickly, like the bulls in the streets of Pamplona. He won holes three and four to grab a two-up lead. Crawford won his only hole of the morning 18 on number 6 to cut the lead in half. But on the par 5 7th hole, Mauss rolled in a long breaking putt for an eagle, and the rout was on. Mauss went on to win three more holes on the back nine to take a five hole lead. Crawford was playing well, but wasn’t making any putts, and found himself in a big hole at the lunch break.

“I hit a lot of good shots that didn’t turn out the way I thought. I misjudged some distances”, he said. “I played well over 100 holes this week, and my body was hurting. I’m caked in Icy Hot, and a cold shower is going to feel good after this.”

Despite his big lead, Mauss knew he had to keep his foot on the pedal and that he couldn’t let up.

“I needed to stay aggressive,” he said. “The match is never over. I learned that the hard way a couple of times. You never know when someone can make eight birdies in a row.”

Crawford didn’t make eight birdies in a row, but when he was down nine holes with 11 to play, he made two in a row to get back in the match. A beautiful tee shot on the par 3 8th hole led to a birdie, then he rolled in a long putt on the par 4 9th and the lead was down to seven heading to the back nine.

But Mauss quickly ended any thoughts Crawford had of a miracle comeback. He won the 10th hole, and after Crawford’s long birdie try on number 11 missed, he conceded the hole and the match was over. Mauss won 9 and 7, securing his second straight Utah State Amateur championship.

“I had some putts the didn’t drop today,” he said after earning the trophy for the second time, “but I can’t complain about the way I played. I play better when the match means more. I tried to stay as focused as I could and play smart and stick to my game plan.”

As for Crawford, he called his runner-up finish his biggest accomplishment in golf.

“I’m happy, I’ll take it. I wish I had put up more of a fight today, but that’s golf. Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don’t. Bowen was definitely the better player today. It’s just how it goes sometimes.”

Besides the trophy, Mauss earned an invitation to the United States Amateur next month at Marion Golf Club in Pennsylvania, and a spot in the Bank of Utah Championship PGA Tour event at Black Desert Resort in October.

“I definitely plan on playing there. I’m excited to make my second PGA Tour start, and I hope to make the best of it.”

Mauss said he will return next year to defend his title again and try to become the first golfer since Ed Kingsley, 90 years earlier, to win three consecutive championships. The 2027 championships will be held at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy.

128th Utah State Amateur championship match recap feature written by Fairways Media contributor Wesley Ruff. Photography by Fairways Media/Garrit Johnson.