SPARKS (Sept. 23, 2026)–Trent Virden won the 2026 Nevada State Mid-Amateur. It was Virden’s first state title. The three-day tournament was held Sept. 21-23, 2026 on the Lakes Course at Red Hawk Golf and Resort.–by Bill Bowman
Virden played a six-hole stretch five-under-par midway through the second round (one eagle and three birdies) and held off a hard-charging Craig Erickson for the title.
But it was his first-day start that got Virden’s attention. He was five-over-par through the first 10 holes before playing the last eight holes in one-under to stay in the race.
“I was definitely a little shaky the first day,” Virden said. “I just didn’t play the way I wanted to. But after the bad start, I kept getting a little better each day and steadied the ship.”
Virden, a former professional player who has been in the home loan business in Reno for the past eight years, said getting the game straightened out is still a challenge.
“I used to play this game for a living,” he said, “You’re out there trying to make cuts and make money. You’ve got to keep your head in it for the whole tournament and that’s what I tried to do this week.”
Virden won the Nevada State Amateur in 2025 and said focus has always been a key for him.
“Just being mentally tough in tournaments is always a goal,” he said. “Early in that first round I wasn’t feeling myself and hit some uncharacteristically bad shots but I managed to get the swing straightened out. The second and third days I played much more disciplined golf. I just tried to keep the ball in front of me and limit any big numbers.”
And that included his five-under-par run over six holes in the middle round.
“I hit a lot of balls close during that stretch and that always helps,” he said. “And I even missed a couple of shorter putts or that round could have been really low.”
2026 Nevada State Mid-Amateur
Trent Virden, 76-67-71—214
Craig Erickson, 75-73-68—216
Connor Motherway, 73-70-76—219
Grant McKay, 72-73-74—219
