AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A strong CSRA contingent is set to tee it up this week at Ocean Forest (Sea Island) for the 105th Georgia Amateur Championship, with Richmond Academy’s McKnight Beman is making his first start in the event after qualifying with a standout round.

Beman secured his spot at Bartram Trail, where he shot a 69 and finished tied third in qualifying.

“It was really exciting,” Beman said. “It was one of my main goals this year. It was great to accomplish that already and get some experience with some of the top amateurs in the state of Georgia.”

Local list: CSRA representation at the Georgia Amateur

Golfers from the area expected in the field include:

• Lucas Hopkins (Thomson)
• MacGregor Thompson (Augusta)
• McKnight Beman (Augusta)
• Kipp Madison (Augusta)
• Colten Lewis (Swainsboro)
• Austin Vick (Evans)
• Cody Shafer (Evans)
• Bo Blanchard (Augusta University, defending champion)

One notable name not playing: Hamilton Coleman is listed as exempt, but is opting out with the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills coming next week.

Beman paired with Madison in opening rounds

Beman won’t be going it alone early. He said he will be paired with local Kipp Madison in the first two rounds, adding a familiar face as he steps into a field that often includes players decades older.

Beman said he’s comfortable in that environment.

“Not really,” Beman said when asked if it’s intimidating to play against older amateurs. “I played with so many older people through the years. I just like meeting new people and I think it’s a great opportunity to grow.”

Beman also pointed to the value of relationships and exposure the tournament can provide.

“The state amateur allows me to grow relationships with maybe older people that have bigger connections with college coaches,” he said. “It gives me a shot at the U.S. Am if I were to win.”

Ocean Forest test: “play the course”

The championship will be contested at Ocean Forest (on Sea Island), and Beman said he’s expecting the conditions—especially the wind—to be a major factor.

“It’s going to be windy so I’m just going to be working on not playing my game—playing the course,” Beman said. “I just got to stick to my process and not let anything affect me.”

“I’m not going to let how I’m hitting dictate how I play. I’m just going to go out there and show confidence and be determined to win.”

Defending champ Bo Blanchard expected to play

Defending champion Bo Blanchard is expected in the field, adding another high-end benchmark for the local golfers chasing the title.

History: Richmond Academy and Augusta winners

The Georgia Amateur has deep local history:

• The last Richmond Academy golfer to win the event was Randy Strozier (1969).
• The last Augusta golfer to win was Augusta Prep’s Lee Knox (2012) — and Knox won the Georgia Amateur twice over a three-year span.

What’s on the line: trophy, medal, and major exemptions

Beyond state bragging rights, the prize package is one of the most coveted in amateur golf.

The Georgia Amateur champion earns:

• The Robert H. Martin Trophy (with the champion’s name engraved on the historic trophy)
• An exemption into that year’s U.S. Amateur Championship
• An exemption into the Jones Cup Invitational

Past winners engraved on the Robert H. Martin Trophy include Bobby Jones.

For Beman—entering the tournament as a first-timer—those rewards are part of what makes the week so meaningful.

“I know it’s a big tournament so I just got to stick to my process,” Beman said. “I have to be straightforward with myself.”