WALLACE, N.C. (April 7, 2026) – Final results from the 31st Tar Heel Cup Matches held at River Landing Country Club’s Landing Course in Wallace, N.C.

Related: Championship Website | Match Results | History

After years of close calls, the Carolinas amateurs didn’t just win the 2026 Tar Heel Cup, they took it back with authority, rolling to a 9–3 victory over the North Carolina PGA Professionals.

The amateurs set the tone early in Four-Ball play, building a 3–1 advantage that immediately put pressure on the defending side. From there, they never let up.

In Singles, the amateurs secured six of the eight matches to close out a decisive performance.

The 2025 N.C. Amateur Champion, Jackson Spires, opened the day with a 2-up win over Cooper Hrabak of Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, and Peter Bowie followed with a 1-up victory against Luke Lovell of The Country Club of Asheville. Two-time CGA Champion, Nic Brown, added a 3-and-2 win over John Faidley of The Club at Longview, while one half of the reigning Carolinas Four-Ball Championship side, Stephen Lavenets, delivered a 2-and-1 victory against Bryce Young of New Bern Golf & Country Club.

Zach Edmondson turned in one of the most dominant performances of the day, defeating Chris Haarlow of Precision Golf School, 5 and 3, and Jacob Golliday followed with a 5-and-4 victory over Dave Ambrose of Elk River Club.

The Professionals earned two points in Singles play. Zach Martin of Longleaf Golf & Family Club defeated 2025 Carolinas Mid-Amateur and Carolinian Amateur champion, Brett McLamb, 3 and 2, and Adam Fisher of North Ridge Country Club was 3 up through 15 holes against 2021 N.C. Mid-Amatuer champion, Dan Walters. While Fisher’s result was not officially submitted at the time, it contributes to the final 9–3 margin.

The Tar Heel Cup Matches are an annual friendly competition featuring eight of the top PGA Professionals, selected by the Carolinas PGA Section, and eight of the top amateur golfers, selected by the Carolinas Golf Association, in North Carolina. The format includes one day of Four-Ball matches followed by one day of Singles matches, with one point awarded for each match won. A total of 6½ points is required to win the Cup.

With the victory, the amateurs reclaim the Cup in convincing fashion, delivering one of the most decisive performances in recent memory.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its sincere thanks to the members and staff of River Landing Country Club, and to Director of Golf Larry George, for their continued support in hosting this championship.