After 3 years the Baltimore Medios come back to Rattlewood Golf Course for the 2026 FORE Championship. After initial reports of a lousy rainy day, the weather changed and became an absolute beautiful day. 35 golfers committed to play in the rain but were happily surprised when the weather turned as they took their shot at winning a piece of the biggest purse of the year in the MGA.
Despite running a tad late to the golf course, rookie Ryley Breeding was still able to lead some of the boys with his rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. This was his second time with the honors in his rookie campaign; however, he still needed the words to remember the song. This reporter is confident with a few more opportunities Ryley will have the words memorized and his renditions will standout with likes of chapter singing greats Mike Dye and Josh Benson.
Chapter Leader Noah Kiehle would stack up 10 pars and a birdie on his way to shooting his second career 80. Once the penalty strokes were added up he would find himself in a tie for the lead with veteran great Bernard Settle at 84s. Not only were their scores tied on the day, but both men were tied in the record books with 6 career victories each. The Medios would step out to take over the putting green for our first putt off of the 2026 season. As the official reporter of the Baltimore MGA, all I can say is it is about time we have had another putt off. The comraderie was apparent as the heckling turned to cheering back to heckling as other patrons watched on with interest. The day would be Noah's as he would 2-putt to victory claiming the Big Check and putting his name atop the largest tournament in chapter history.
During his interview I asked him what took so long to get back in the winner's column? "Well, you see with great power comes great responsibility and I put a lot of pride in running this chapter. I put winning a tournament on the back burner for a while to focus on growing the chapter and I feel we have done that here in Baltimore. With the most members in chapter history this year, it has been a good one. We went from averaging under 20 golfers each event 4 years ago to averaging over 30 golfers this year. It's a great feeling to be in charge of a group that Gets It like we do here in Baltimore. I also was on a podcast once NBD, go check out Mediocast 59 sometime, they only interview important people."
Little fun fact I found looking through the archives: the Baltimore Medios have played Rattlewood Golf Course 3 times since Noah has been a member and he has finished in the lead all 3 times. We all remember that first putt-off where he lost to Mark Hill at the 2019 AmAm tournament for his lone 2nd place finish at this course. With numbers like these, I am sure we will see this course make it on tour again.
As for the rest of the tournament, it was Sammy Smutz taking both the long drive and the closest to the pin awards on his way to not DQing and finishing with a little check in T-10th place. Chad Gunnings 96 would find him right in the middleish winning himself a new hat and the most mediocre award. Wynn Berry and the help of the blue tees would win himself the meltdown award as he would have an 8-stroke differential from the front to the back. Kevin Showe would be clutch on the CTP$ 12th hole taking the largest prize in chapter history with a shot 18 feet from the pin (not bad from almost 200yrd away). Rick Henrie would make his putt on the 18th green to claim the longest putt award winning a nice new ball marker curtesy of Lady Luck Golf.
Welcome back Paul Jester as his busy schedule finally worked to his favor and was able to make it to his first tournament of the year. He would do good enough to reclaim his spot in the back of the pack winning yet another Red Key award for his efforts #HeGetsIt. The "Goat" Mark Hill would see his score at the other end of the list as his 77 would mark his first career DQ. Great job adding more strokes just in time for Worlds sir. Oh yes and mark down George Cunningham for yet another "mediocre moment" for his career. IYKYK
The chapter money list is starting to organize itself for the Battle of the Beltway against the D.C. chapter. There is only 1 more tournament left to add money to your name to guarantee your spot on October 24th at Northwest Golf Course and represent team Baltimore. Don't forget to check out MGA Chapter "Money" List | MGA Tour to see where you fit in the mix. Last chance to add money is the Douche Bag Invitational at Compass Pointe on September 12th. Hope to see everyone there.
| # | Name | "Money" |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jean-Francois Pelichowski (8) | $7.41 |
| 2. | Jeremy Smith (8) | $7.26 |
| 3. | Jeremiah Davidson (7) | $6.74 |
| 4. | Jamie Cooper (7) | $6.72 |
| 5. | Pete Miller (8) | $6.29 |
| 6. | Arlin Schlabach (8) | $6.23 |
| 7. | Gabriel Quidera (7) | $6.03 |
| 8. | Cliff Schweigert (8) | $6.03 |
| 9. | John Young (8) | $6.02 |
| 10. | Dave Gouveia (8) | $5.88 |
