MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A year after becoming the first amateur to win the West Virginia Open title in 19 years, Brooke H.S. graduate and Marshall University golfer Ryan Bilby looks to defend his Open title this week at Edgewood Country Club in Sissonville.
Bilby is one of seven former champions in the field for the 54-hole tournament, which features the top professional and amateur golfers in West Virginia. 12-time winner David Bradshaw continues his quest to catch Sam Snead’s record of 17 championships.
This year’s West Virginia Amateur champion Christian Brand is a 3-time Open winner. Fellow former Open champions Craig Berner, Jonathan Clark, Kenny Hess and John Ross are also in the field. Berner is the professional at Edgewood.
Seven West Virginia Amateur champions will compete. The list is headlined by 13-time amateur champion and 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier Pat Carter. Brian Anania, Brand, Alex Easthom, Connor Jarvis, Noah Mullens and Philip Reale are also in the field.
Other notables in the 132-man field include 2024 WV Junior Amateur champion and Rutgers signee Argyle Downes, WVU senior golfer Todd Duncan, 2023 WVSSAC Class AAA state champion Tommy Evans, Marshall graduate Will Evans, 2024 U.S. Amateur qualifier Davey Jude, 2024 WV Senior Amateur champion Bryan Myers, Trinity H.S. head coach Mark Spurill and Wake Forest graduate Woody Woodward.
15-year-old Clarksburg native Carson Higginbotham and 14-and-under Junior Amateur champion from Hurricane, Parker O’Dell, will be among the youngest players in the event. Qualifying for the tournament concluded Thursday with the “Last Chance” Qualifier at Bel Meadow Golf Club in Mount Clare.
The field will be cut to the low 60 golfers and ties after Thursday’s second round. Pro-Am tournaments (Monday) and the WV Open Shootout (Tuesday) will precede the official start of the tournament on Wednesday morning.