By Stephen Hanjack
shanjack@massgolf.org
SANDWICH, Massachusetts (August 31, 2026) — Aidan Emmerich’s (Kernwood CC) summer of success continued on Monday at The Ridge Club during 2027 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying. Earlier this year, Emmerich claimed victory at the 118th Massachusetts Amateur Championship as well as the 62nd Hornblower Memorial Tournament. This time, though, it was a shared success with older brother Christian Emmerich (Kernwood CC). Thanks to a thrilling finish, the two put together a score of 60 (-11), good for a share of medalist honors and a coveted spot in the USGA Championship.
Thanks to three hole-out eagles on the day, yes three, the side of Patrick Christovich (New Orleans, LA) and Jeronimo Esteve (Puerto Rico) also turned in a 60 (-11) to split medalist honors with the Emmerichs. The two sides will now advance to the 2027 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, to be held May 22-26 at Erin Hills and Blue Mound CC (Wisconsin).
Online: Results | U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship Home | Mass Golf Home
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Searching for bent grass greens and cooler temperatures, the side of Patrick Christovich and Jeronimo Esteve landed on Massachusetts. Esteve, one of four Dartmouth College alums in the field, bunked up with friends in Boston for the weekend, dragging Christovich out of the sweltering New Orleans heat, to join him. Following the round (and post-round work calls), the two raved about the greens and course conditions.
During the round, it was a series of hole-outs that brought smiles to their faces and double-circles to their scorecards. Playing the par-5 3rd hole, with his partner out of the hole, Christovich nipped a wedge from 45 yards out perfectly, holing the shot for eagle, and getting them to 3-under-par.
On the 8th hole, it was Esteve’s turn. Playing the 413-yard par-4, Esteve’s drive bounded off one of the many rolling hills, unluckily coming to rest in a squirrelly position in the rough. With the ball well below his feet, Esteve sent the 116 yard approach shot directly at the pin, and after a few hops, the ball came to rest in the bottom of the hole. That eagle moved them to 6-under and atop the leaderboard as they made the turn.
Their final eagle of the day came on the par-5 12th hole. After two good shots, Christovich’s ball sat just below the putting surface, in the rough, but on the upslope. Yet again, Christovich hit a perfect chip, holing the shot for eagle.
One last birdie on the gettable 18th (Christovich narrowly missed a 12-footer for eagle there as well) was just enough to push the two through to the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
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The Emmerichs are a competitive bunch, to put it lightly. In most cases, when Christian and Aidan are playing together, it’s as enemies rather than teammates. But once or twice a year, the two will join forces for in four-ball competition. Prior to Monday, the two narrowly missed qualifying for the USGA’s only team championship in both of their previous attempts.
The game plan on Monday was to get hot early. “Our big thing is to both try to have a look (at birdie), and he made two good putts to start, and then I had a good one on the par five,” recalled Aidan. “We played Saturday, and we were like, ‘if you start hot, you got a chance.’ So we we started hot and just sort of rode that out.”
Christian’s birdie-birdie start followed by Aidan’s birdies on Nos. 3 and 5 were exactly what the doctor ordered. From there, the two continued to play complimentary golf, mixing in several more birdies through the middle of the round.
In a U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier, you have to keep the pedal to the metal, and coming down the stretch, it appeared as though things were stalling out for the brothers. They walked away with a disappointing par on the 15th hole (par 5) and again had to settle for par on 16.
On the picturesque 17th hole (par 3, 150 yards), Christian had the benefit of watching all three hit their tee shots before striking his. “All three hit nine (iron) pretty full, and so I choked down a finger just to hit it a little closer,” said Christian, describing his shot. “And I saw Max’s putt right before me break the complete opposite way that I thought. So I put it just inside right and kept my head down. I was like ‘I’m just firming this right on my line, and I’m gonna hope that it hits the center of the hole,’ which it did thankfully.” The birdie got the Emmerichs to 9-under-par, setting up Aidan’s thrilling finish.
After a perfect drive on the gettable par-5 finisher, Aidan had one thing on his mind, eagle. “I was like, ‘I’m going for this, like, I don’t really care,'” said Aidan of his approach shot into the wind. “I hit a pretty stock seven iron (from 163 yards) and just made a good swing at the right time.”
The shot came to rest just two feet from the hole, making for one of the most stress-free eagle putts you could dream of. Helpful, considering it was the only eagle made on No. 18 all day.
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Next Up for the sides of Patrick Christovich + Jeronimo Esteve and Christian + Aidan Emmerich: Erin Hills and Blue Mound CC
Next Up for Mass Golf: On Tuesday, U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying will take place at GreatHorse. View Starting Times
COMPLETE LIST OF QUALIFIERS AND ALTERNATES FROM THE RIDGE CLUB
QUALIFIERS
Patrick Christovich (New Orleans, LA) + Jeronimo Esteve (Puerto Rico); (-11) 60
Christian Emmerich + Aidan Emmerich (Swampscott, MA); (-11) 60
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Sam Grindle (Boxford, MA) + Barry Babbitt (Winter Garden, FL); (-10) 61
Victor Galvani + Jon Curran (Hopkinton, MA); (-8) 63
The Ridge Club is located in a gated community in Sandwich, the oldest town on the Cape, which was founded in 1639. The 18-hole, 71-par course was designed by Robert Von Hagge, an award-winning golf course architect who designed 250 courses in 20 countries throughout his career. The course is known for its elevation changes and signature 17th hole, which features an island green. Von Hagge’s most well-known design is Le Golf National (Paris, France) which hosted both the 2018 Ryder Cup and 2024 Olympics.
As it does every year, The Ridge Club is preparing to host the BJ’s Charity Championship in just over a week’s time. The one-day, 18-hole team event features 28 Legends of the LPGA forming two-person teams and playing a scramble format. Tee times start at 9:30 a.m. Admission and parking is free at Holly Ridge Golf Course next door and includes shuttle to the tournament entrance.
In addition to the legendary names who frequently appear on the Cape in this event, four “younger” LPGA Tour stalwarts have also been invited to team up with a Hall of Fame member:
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