Men’s, Mid-Amateur & Master-40 POY: Nate Smith
In 2026, Smith joined a rare list of players who have twice etched their name on the Scott Masingill Cup. At his home track of Teton Reserve in Tetonia, Smith’s six-stroke victory earned him an exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship at Marion and into the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. He would also make a deep run in the PNGA Master-40 Amateur at Wine Valley this year.
But the highlight of Smith’s 2026 came in Wisconsin for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. After clawing his way into match play, Smith found himself on the run of a lifetime, beating player after player on his way to the championship match. He finished runner up in one of the most ruthless single-elimination formats the world of golf has to offer.
Women’s POY: Ella Arnzen
Ella Arnzen had always been among the top girls’ junior players in Idaho. But this summer, the rising Austin Peay State University sophomore set her name in the bedrock of Idaho golf history, becoming the 91st Women’s Amateur Champion.
Arnzen put together a remarkably steady weekend at Osprey Meadows following an opening round of 75. Tied for the lead to start the final round, she lurched out of the gates to back-to-back birdies and never looked back. She tapped in for par on the 54th hole for a second consecutive even-par round and a two stroke victory.
Men’s Senior POY: Darren Kuhn
In a hotly contested race for Senior Men’s Player of the Year, Darren Kuhn clawed his way to the top of the heap. In June, Kuhn snagged his lone title of the season in the Senior Match Play at Blackfoot and fell outside the top 5 in just one IGA championship all year (17th at the Idaho Senior Amateur).
Kuhn opened his season with a 3rd place finish at the Senior Four-Ball (with partner Eric Peterson), finished T-4th at the Men’s Master-40 Amateur, and rounded things out with a 3rd place finish at the Senior Tournament of Champions.
He also earned 2nd Alternate at U.S. Senior Amateur qualifying in July.
Senior & Mid-Amateur Women’s POY: Sheryl Scott
Scott kicked off her season with a win at the Women’s Four-Ball at RedHawk Golf Course (alongside partner Cali Hipp) and followed up with a trip to the semi-finals in the Senior Women’s Match Play. A month later, Scott finished runner-up in the IGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. She also finished inside the top 10 at the PNGA Women’s Mid Amateur.
But the highlight of Scott’s season arrived in August. Competing in both the senior and super-senior divisions at Jug Mountain Ranch, Scott became the first player to walk away with both titles, collecting her second Karen Darrington Cup.